A Delaware woman was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison on federal wire fraud and tax evasion charges.
Joan Donald, 55, of Ocean View, reportedly embezzled more than $1.1 million from Dovetail Inc., a high-end interior design and construction business in Bethany Beach, according to a Sept. 28 Department of Justice news release. Donald was an administrative assistant who assisted with bookkeeping at the company.
"“The owner of Dovetail, Connie Britell, was a force of nature who built her business from the ground up. Over the years, Ms. Britell placed more and more trust in the defendant, eventually giving the defendant control over company finances," U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware David C. Weiss said in the news release. "The defendant abused that trust."
Donald began defrauding the company in 2014 by paying herself a "shadow salary" and using the company's bank account to pay her personal credit card bills, the release reported. Donald also gave money to her husband through fraudulent checks and Square payments.
"Month after month for at least seven years, defendant Donald drained Dovetail’s accounts until there was nothing left," Weiss added, according to the release. "In doing so, the defendant exploited an elderly woman in declining health who had placed full faith in her. The defendant's conduct was not only criminal, it was also cruel. Today’s sentence stands as a stark warning to those who prey on the elderly."
Donald was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly, which "put an end to Joan Donald's flagrant actions and complete disrespect of the law," Baltimore FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski said in the news release.
"For years Donald was a trusted insider who preyed on her employer by stealing funds to financially enrich herself," Sobocinsk continued, according to the release. "Those who abuse their position of trust for their own financial greed will not be tolerated. The FBI and our partners will continue to uncover those committing fraud and causing harm to businesses and individuals for personal gain."
Justice was served and Donald "is on her way to federal prison for stealing from her employer, the American public and the government," IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty said in the news release. "Would-be criminals should take notice. A similar fate awaits anyone thinking about engaging in this type of criminal conduct."
