Ernest Everette Howard, Wire Fraud, Oklahoma 2023

Tulsa Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Stealing Nearly $370,000 from Employer

A Tulsa man has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for stealing $368,329.61 from his employer, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell handed down the sentence to Ernest Everette Howard, 49, of Tulsa, for wire fraud.

Howard was employed as a controller at the Tulsa offices of an international company from 2017 to his termination in January 2019. During that time, he fraudulently padded his own paychecks with unauthorized bonuses and automobile allowances, totaling $368,329.61.

The court further ordered Howard to pay $368,329.61 in restitution, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office Asset Forfeiture Section has secured assets from Howard in the approximate amount of $130,000 to be applied to.

“White collar crime corrupts the economic welfare of businesses and communities. Mr. Howard’s embezzlement scheme undermined the mission of his employer as he abused his position of trust. Now, he is headed to federal prison to account for his crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

The FBI conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Leitch prosecuted the case.

Howard’s sentence is a reminder that white-collar crime will not be tolerated and those who commit such crimes will be held accountable.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/tulsa-man-sentenced-stealing-almost-370000-employer