Fort Myers, Florida - United States District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell yesterday sentenced Alfred W. Lenz (68, Montague, Michigan) to four years and nine months in federal prison for wire fraud. He also was ordered to forfeit his interest in a house located in Montague, and the contents of a retirement account that were traceable to proceeds of the offense. In addition, the Court ordered Lenz to pay $2,380,465.11 in restitution to the victim and imposed a forfeiture money judgment in that amount. The government intends to seek permission to turn over any recovered funds to the Clerk of the Court for distribution to the victim. Lenz pleaded guilty on June 11, 2014.
According to court documents, Lenz was the Controller for the Vineyards Development Corporation (VDC) in Naples, Florida from March 31, 2005, until April 27, 2012. Between Jan. 11, 2007, and December 9, 2010, he embezzled a total of $2,380,465.11 from the VDC. He then used the money to buy real estate and for other personal expenses.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office’s Economic Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Office of the State Attorney for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Lazarus.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
