A Portland couple has been sentenced to federal prison for stealing $34 million from a former client. Sergey Lebedenko, 54, and Galina Lebedenko, 49, who owned a local chauffeur and limousine business called Astra Car Service, LLC, were sentenced to 57 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. The restitution amount they owe will be determined later.
The couple met their victim in 2007 when Sergey was hired as a driver. Over time, the victim became a regular customer, with services expanding to include bill payments and pet care performed by Galina. Despite their extensive service arrangement from 2018 to 2023, there was no formal business contract between them.
In 2013, an invoice indicated hourly rates of $90 for driving and $60 for other services. In 2016, the victim provided his American Express credit card details for direct billing. However, only one invoice was ever issued; the couple did not provide logs or detailed charges thereafter.
Over seven years, the Lebedenkos charged approximately $34 million on the victim's credit card without proper documentation or agreement. Their fraudulent activities funded an extravagant lifestyle including real estate acquisitions and luxury purchases such as vehicles and jewelry.
The court has ordered forfeiture of assets acquired through these fraudulent means. On January 22, 2024, both were charged with wire fraud and money laundering; later indicted on multiple counts by a grand jury in February that year. They pleaded guilty on October 25, 2024.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith D.M. Bateman and Andrew T. Ho prosecuted the case in Oregon's District Court. Forfeiture proceedings are managed by Assistant U.S Attorney Katie C. de Villiers.
