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Raceland Systems Engineer Sentenced to Prison for Embezzlement Scheme
NEW ORLEANS – Scott P. Richard, a 48-year-old systems engineer from Raceland, La., was sentenced to a year and a day in prison by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon on May 23, 2024, for his role in a massive embezzlement scheme that bilked a Houma-based company out of $526,569.42.
Richard, who pleaded guilty to access device fraud, was entrusted with the company’s corporate credit card, which he used to make unauthorized purchases and create false invoices for a shell company he controlled. The scheme, which lasted from January 1, 2012, through September 27, 2021, saw Richard embezzle over half a million dollars from his former employer.
According to court records, Richard was a systems engineer for the company, responsible for specifying, purchasing, installing, and supporting the company’s technology infrastructure. However, he used his position to defraud the company, making unauthorized purchases of equipment for his own personal use and using the corporate credit card to make purchases from the shell company.
Richard’s scheme was uncovered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Field Office, who praised the work of U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans’ office in prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Payne of the Financial Crimes Unit led the prosecution.
In addition to his prison sentence, Richard was ordered to pay $526,569.42 in restitution to the company, as well as a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of corporate theft and the importance of robust internal controls to prevent such schemes. As this newspaper has repeatedly reported, embezzlement is a pervasive problem in the corporate world, with billions of dollars lost each year to dishonest employees.
Richard’s sentence is a significant victory for the company he defrauded, and we hope it serves as a warning to others who would seek to exploit their employers for personal gain.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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