Larry D. Lord, Embezzlement, Kansas 2023

In a shocking turn of events, Larry D. Lord, 63, of Manhattan, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $500,000 from the commercial construction company where he worked.

The U.S. Attorney’s office revealed that Lord embezzled funds from Cheney Construction Incorporated’s bank account to pay his personal expenses, including his and his wife’s personal credit cards.

The scheme, which lasted from 1995 to 2012, saw Lord write checks on CCI’s bank account and mail the checks to a credit card company. He also falsified the company’s check register log to make it appear the check was written to a legitimate payee.

As a result of his actions, Lord faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the mail fraud count, as well as a maximum penalty of three years and a fine of up to $250,000 on the income tax charge.

The embezzled funds, totaling $535,179, were used to cover Lord’s personal expenses, including his and his wife’s personal credit cards. He also failed to report the embezzled funds on his federal income tax, resulting in taxes owed for 2006 through 2011 of $103,962.

Sentencing is set for July 1. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney.

Lord’s guilty plea marks a significant blow to the construction industry, highlighting the importance of internal controls and oversight in preventing similar crimes.

The U.S. Attorney’s office commended the agencies involved in the investigation for their tireless efforts in bringing Lord to justice.

As the case comes to a close, the people of Kansas can rest assured that those who engage in fraudulent activities will be held accountable.

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