Craig Larsen, Embezzlement, Connecticut 2016

Glastonbury Man Admits Embezzling $200K from New Jersey Manufacturer of Supplements

A Glastonbury man has admitted to embezzling over $200,000 from a New Jersey-based company that provided supplements for bodybuilding, strength, weight loss, and fitness.

Craig Larsen, 53, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in New Haven to one count of interstate transportation of money obtained by fraud stemming from an embezzlement scheme.

According to court documents, Larsen was employed by Maximum Human Performance (MHP), a New Jersey-based company that provided supplements for various fitness needs. In approximately November 2012, Larsen became the head of MHP's quality control and had authority to approve bills submitted to MHP by its vendors.

Between approximately November 2013 and February 2015, Larsen presented fraudulent invoices to MHP that falsely represented that a company he controlled, R.E.T.S., had performed quality control services for MHP when no such services had been provided.

Through this scheme, Larsen caused approximately 40 false invoices to be submitted to MHP requesting the payment of approximately $204,000 for services purportedly performed by R.E.T.S., and subsequently used his authority to approve the invoices for payment.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for July 25, 2016, at which time Larsen faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines.

Larsen's actions are a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in business dealings.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/glastonbury-man-admits-embezzling-200k-new-jersey-manufacturer-health-care-supplements