Gina Suzanne Lonestar, Embezzled $1.7M, Houston TX, 2023

DANVILLE, CA – Gina Suzanne Lonestar, 52, will spend the next 22 months in federal prison after admitting to a brazen, eight-year scheme to steal $1.7 million from Men’s Wearhouse. The former Vice President of Construction, Maintenance, and Facilities wasn’t grabbing discounts; she was systematically draining company coffers, using a phantom vendor and her position of authority to line her pockets.

Lonestar, a resident of Danville, didn’t act alone, but she was the architect of the fraud. From 2010 to 2019, she created a shell company – a fake vendor with ties to a family member – and began submitting bogus invoices for services never rendered. She held the power to approve those invoices, a critical access point she exploited without a second thought. The scheme was simple, but effective: approve the fake bills, funnel the money into a joint checking account, and pocket the cash.

The feds finally caught wind of the operation in 2019 during a routine internal audit. The discrepancies were glaring, and an investigation quickly uncovered the elaborate scheme. Federal prosecutors didn’t mess around, indicting Lonestar on multiple counts of wire fraud. She eventually pleaded guilty to a single count in May of this year, hoping for leniency, but Judge Jon S. Tigar wasn’t buying it.

At her sentencing hearing, Lonestar was slapped with 22 months behind bars. But the prison time isn’t the only consequence. The court also ordered her to forfeit a staggering $1,736,216 – the full amount she stole – and face three years of supervised release after she’s done serving her time. The feds are still hashing out the details of restitution, with a hearing scheduled for December 1st to determine how much more she owes to her former employer.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Noah Stern, along with Elizabeth Kim and Kathleen Turner, led the prosecution, building a solid case based on financial records and internal company documents. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) handled the investigation, meticulously tracing the money trail and uncovering the layers of deceit. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was a calculated, long-term betrayal of trust.

Lonestar’s position gave her considerable control over the company’s finances, and she abused that authority for personal gain. The case serves as a stark reminder that even high-ranking executives aren’t above the law. While $1.7 million is a significant loss for Tailored Brands, the damage to their reputation and the breach of trust are immeasurable. The feds are sending a clear message: white-collar crime will be prosecuted, and those who exploit their positions for profit will face serious consequences.

The dismissal of remaining charges was a strategic move by the prosecution, streamlining the case after Lonestar’s guilty plea. It allowed them to focus on securing a substantial forfeiture judgment and ensuring she’s held accountable for her actions. The upcoming restitution hearing will likely determine the extent of additional financial penalties she’ll face, potentially exceeding the forfeited amount.

Lonestar’s sentence is a cautionary tale for anyone tempted to engage in fraudulent activity. The lure of easy money isn’t worth the risk of ruining your career, your reputation, and your freedom. The FBI continues to investigate similar cases, and federal prosecutors are committed to bringing those responsible for financial crimes to justice.