Man Sentenced with 10 Years for Embezzlement in Washington
Posted on Apr 13, 2009 10:53am PDT
This past Friday, 25 year old Brett M. Smith was sentenced in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma for his role in
embezzlement crimes against the Manke Lumber Co. Smith managed to embezzle $2.5 million from the lumber company while employed there. On Friday, Smith was sentenced with 10 years imprisonment and he was ordered to pay back $2.5 million in restitution.
According to government officials, Smith had spearheaded the embezzlement operation. He worked for the Tacoma lumber company for approximately 2 years. During his employment, he was responsible for weighing and inspecting logs and also sending checks from the mill.
The government claims that Smith managed to create false records and then sent checks to conspirators for logs that were never directed to Manke Lumber's mill. Officials say that Smith used 20 different names to create false log intake information.
Aside from Smith, seven other people were arrested for their roles in the embezzlement, including Smith's brother, 28 year old Bryan M. Smith. The other defendants were indicted in June 2008. However, Bryan Smith was sentenced in March 2009. He received 54 months imprisonment.
The judge presiding over the case, U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton released a statement in which he said, "This crime has caused me more sadness, to see a generation of kids who were willing to participate in this ... has caused me more fear for our future ... if we don't make an example here and now, as a society we are doomed." When sentencing Smith, he imposed a sentence that was above the state's minimum guidelines range.
If you have been charged with a
white collar crime in Washington, click here to find a
criminal defense lawyer!
