Grimy Times has learned that George Dfouni, a 47-year-old man from Wayne, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion in connection with the embezzlement of millions of dollars from a New York-based hospitality company.
According to documents filed in the case, Dfouni worked as the chief operating officer for the company, identified as ‘Company A,’ which owns and operates hotels in New York and New Jersey.
Between 2007 and 2015, Dfouni negotiated multiple contracts on behalf of Company A, whereby two other companies – identified as ‘Company B’ and ‘Company C’ – leased New York hotel properties from Company A.
Dfouni was expected to keep his signing bonus and pay the remaining balances to Company A, but instead, he skimmed a portion of the payments due to Company A to support his lavish lifestyle and gambling expenses.
In total, Dfouni embezzled approximately $13,807,034 from Company A, and willfully failed to report $27,739,114 in income to the IRS between 2007 and 2014.
Dfouni pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to one count of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion. He was released on $150,000 unsecured bond.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 30, 2018. The wire fraud charge is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The tax evasion charge is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI with the investigation leading to today’s plea.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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