Sue O’Neill: $8.7M Embezzlement Lands Her 5+ Years

PITTSBURGH, PA – A lavish lifestyle built on stolen funds came crashing down today for Sue O’Neill, 55, of Sewickley, Pennsylvania. O’Neill was sentenced to five years and four months (64 months) in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for a brazen nine-year embezzlement scheme totaling $8.7 million. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose, reflects the scale and duration of O’Neill’s deception.

O’Neill, formerly the Controller for Marco Contractors, Inc., systematically siphoned off company funds, diverting a staggering $8.7 million for her own benefit. Prosecutors detailed how she and an accomplice established Bulldog Contractors LLC, funneling approximately $6.7 million of the stolen money into the new business. Another $2 million landed directly into O’Neill’s personal bank account – a clear indication of intent to permanently enrich herself.

The couple didn’t shy away from flaunting their ill-gotten gains. Court records reveal the pair splurged on a pair of meticulously restored classic cars: two 1969 Ford Shelby GT500s, each costing around $160,000. They then poured another $163,000 into renovating a 1969 Ford Mustang. The spending didn’t stop at vehicles; O’Neill also indulged in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and a high-end country club membership, all funded by stolen money.

But the scheme didn’t end there. O’Neill attempted to conceal her criminal activity by filing false income tax returns, deliberately omitting the $8.7 million in embezzled funds from her reported income. This blatant disregard for the law compounded her crimes and ultimately led to the wire fraud and tax evasion charges she faced.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl spearheaded the prosecution, presenting a compelling case that exposed the full extent of O’Neill’s fraud. United States Attorney Scott W. Brady praised the collaborative effort of multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, the Northern Regional Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the United States Marshals Service, for their work in bringing O’Neill to justice.

This case serves as a stark reminder that even sophisticated financial crimes will be uncovered. The pursuit of personal enrichment through deception carries severe consequences, as Sue O’Neill has now learned firsthand. The investigation underscores the commitment of federal and local law enforcement to combatting white-collar crime and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.