Attorneys hired by Steele asked for a five-year prison sentence along with supervised release while prosecutors sought a prison sentence between 70 and 87 months a range of roughly six years to a little more than seven years. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. The name of a woman who confessed to an embezzlement scheme worth millions is now starting to disappear across Taylorsville. During the same time period, Steele executed at least 117 fraudulent and unauthorized bank wires, totaling more than $2.2 million, from Victim Company As bank accounts to the defendants personal bank account, which she then used for her personal benefit, including to fund a personal real estate closing. We have a couple of sheep. Donna Steele (Douglas steele) See Photos. Steele also is accused of transferring $350,000 in embezzled funds to Opulence by Steele in Taylorsville, which federal authorities described in court documents as a high-end clothing and furniture boutique. The main room has a large wooden cross in the center of the back wall and is lit by chandeliers hanging from the tall ceiling. In pushing for a relatively lenient sentence, Steeles attorneys argued that her mental health challenges, particularly a desire to buy love as a result of an abusive childhood, contributed to her embezzlement. Wednesday Bible Study, Adventure Kids, OBEY Youth, & Band Rehearsal - 6:00p Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, received her sentence Thursday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Charlotte. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 227 West Trade St. Donna's Relatives Prosecutors said Steele used company credit cards, checks and wire transfers to steal company funds. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Donna Steele enters the federal courthouse in Charlotte on Thursday afternoon. The glass doors, at the back of the main room, lead out onto a large white deck where receptions can be held. Following the entry of her guilty plea, Steele was released on bond. Prosecutors said Steele falsely told workers that the company was having financial troubles because its parent company was taking money from its accounts. The interior room of the barn where weddings and other events can be held. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. TAYLORSVILLE - Donna Little Fox, 70, of Taylorsville, passed away Saturday, May 26, 2007, at Catawba Valley Medical Center. AGE View Full Report AGE Phone Address View Full Report AGE View Full Report AGE Phone Address View Full Report Powered by Whitepages Premium AGE 60s 151-200 Guests . STATESVILLE, N.C. A former CEO has been charged with embezzling more than $15 million from her employer and using stolen money to pay for a lavish lifestyle, including travel, jewelry and family weddings. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Brittney Melton, AP. A Taylorsville woman, charged in a wire fraud embezzlement scheme worth millions, has accepted a plea deal. Nearly $7,000 in embezzled funds paid for a trip to a Notre Dame-Virginia Tech football game, the court documents show. Questions Post Question property revaluation nearing completion. IT IS SAD. Donna Osowitt Steele is accused of embezzling more than $15 . Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. TODAY ON PATTERSON AVENUE, PEOPLE PASSED OUT FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED. Ellendale is a rural community in Alexander County and the community volunteer fire department sits beside the farm. Being remorseful, in our opinion, would start with a check, TIGRA CEO Bernd Motzer, who came from Germany to speak to the court, said. Hickory Daily Record city reporter In handing down the sentence, Bell dismissed Steeles bid for leniency as excuse-making and said he doubted she was truly remorseful for her actions. A locked padlock Another moment that took its toll was the moment Jason arrived at his sister's house, after police had . They noted the company hired and promoted Steele despite her lack of education and the fact she was on supervised release after serving a federal prison sentence for personally cashing checks from another business. Email: kgriffin@hickoryrecord.com. southend university hospital blood tests . Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud embezzlement scheme, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Two people suffered serious injuries in a three-car crash at the intersection of Lenoir-Rhyne Blvd. Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud embezzlement scheme, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Donna O Steele: Filing Date: January 16, 2020: File Number: 1007553: Motzer was joined in the courtroom by about a dozen TIGRA employees. Following the entry of her guilty plea, Steele was released on bond. Steele used some of the money to fund a craving for luxury clothing and accessories, including spending more than $500,000 on jewelry alone and high-end purchases in New York City at stores that included Sephora and Ted Baker. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. You can cancel at any time. The company owners live overseas, the filing says. Steele had earlier agreed to pay restitution. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. BELL IS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON. In addition to the credit card purchases, Steele admitted to issuing and causing to be issued to herself approximately 98 checks totaling more than $2.8 million from Tigra USAs bank accounts, which Steele deposited into her personal bank account. Check resumes and CV, social media profiles, public records, photos and videos, skilled experts, arrest records, work history, places of employment and business records . KEEPING HIS LEGACY ALIVE, KEEPING HIS MEMORY ALIVE. She referred the Observer to her lawyer but hung up before saying who is representing her. She made employees give her their passwords to all company systems, including email, so she could monitor and access to their accounts, court records show. 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HES BEING HELD IN HENRY COUNTY, WAITING FOR EXTRADITION, TO ROCKINGHAM COUY.NT NEW TONIGHT, WINSTON-SALEM RESIDENTS HANDED OUT FOOD TO THOSE WHO NEED THE EXTRA HELP. Weve looked at several properties. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Steele faces a forfeiture judgment of nearly $16.9 million, prosecutors said in court documents. Asheville:(828) 271-4661. Ellendale Events. I think that we have some families in the community who are really interested in educating, teaching, Goewey said. at approximately 10 a.m. on. Tigra makes equipment for the metalworking and woodworking industries. . Because of Steeles actions, prosecutors said, vendors withheld products from the company due to late or non-payment, and customers complained about being placed on credit holds despite paying what they owed on time. LOUIE: THANK YOU. Steele, who is from Taylorsville, previously served as the CEO of TIGRA USA in Hickory, an American branch of a German-based tool company. >> IT IS HARD. Over the last couple of months, the Steele name has been removed from storefronts and other buildings. She spent $255,000 on stays for her, family members and friends at the Plaza Hotel in New York City and $110,000 at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua in Hawaii, according to prosecutors. In addition to the credit card purchases, Steele admitted to issuing and causing to be issued to herself approximately 98 checks totaling more than $2.8 million from Victim Company As bank accounts, which Steele deposited into her personal bank account. Check out the Thursday edition of the HICKORY DAILY RECORD for a complete report, Photo: Facebook Steele moved into these houses in September 2016, but she had previously lived at 586 Cherry Ave, West Jefferson NC 28694. Steele faces a wire fraud embezzlement charge, according to a bill of information filed against her. She was ordered to pay $270,131.89 in restitution. In addition to the credit card purchases, Steele admitted to issuing about 98 checks totaling more than $2.8 million from Victim Company As bank accounts, which Steele deposited into her personal bank account. Before Donna Osowitt Steele was charged with embezzling $15 million from TIGRA USA in Hickory, she pleaded guilty to embezzling from a family business in Winston-Salem in 1995. On Jan. 12, Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million dollars from TIGRA USA in Hickory, where she was once CEO, according to court documents. Donna Steele started in the shipping department of Tigra USA, a saw-blade company, rising to become chief executive. Furthermore, Steele caused 127 fraudulent and unauthorized wire transfers to be executed as Quickbooks transactions, transferring more than $4.7 million from Victim Company As bank accounts to her personal bank account. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Vento, of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case. Spencer Rattler, five stars, 0.9942 rating, class of 2019 The attorneys said that TIGRAs work environment was one where drinking was a big part of the culture and executives would hold meetings at a nude spa in Germany and subject Steele to sexual innuendo. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. She also siphoned off money from the company to support her side businesses. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer, announced Dena J. She was up most of the night, crying, stressing out about it, because this is one of the best days of her life, he said. You have permission to edit this article. Story: Kristen Hart-Hickory Daily Record, Apple City Broadcasting and Tate Blvd. Carter spent the last 20 years as an event planner for Chick-fil-A, she said. According to filed plea documents and admissions made by Steele in court, from at least 2013-January 2020, the defendant executed an extensive scheme to defraud her employer, identified in court documents as Victim Company A, a privately held U.S. based subsidiary of a foreign company that manufactures carbide products. The Registered Agent on file for this company is Rosca, Claudia M and is located at 34 W Main Ave, Taylorsville, NC 28681. STATESVILLE, N.C. A former CEO has been charged with embezzling more than $15 million from her employer and using stolen money to pay for a lavish lifestyle, including travel, jewelry and family weddings. On the night before Christmas, he was kicked out of his house. Initially, Steele worked in the shipping department and was promoted over the next 20 years to various positions within the company, including to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which she held until she was fired in January 2020. Thats kind of the plans for that. Goewey said he looked at the property when it was for sale seven or eight years ago before the Steeles bought and remodeled the cabin, farmhouse and barn. Taylorsville, North Carolina Donna Osowitt Steele is listed at 171 Nc 127 Hwy Taylorsville, Nc 28681 and is affiliated with the Republican Party. We're having trouble loading this page right now, try reloading it. Picture: Supplied. She allegedly charged approximately $255,000 . He paid more than $3,000, only to find out the business had suddenly closed earlier in 2022. 18/02/2022. THEYRE MAKINSUG RE MANY DO NOT GO HUNGRY THIS CHRISTMAS. Court records dont say. MORE NEWS: So-called 'Shopping Cart Killer' accused of killing at least 4 victims in Virginia. She agreed to start early repayment in March. Meu negcio no Whatsapp Business! King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Have a question about Government Services? In a published report in the Wednesday edition of the HICKORY DAILY RECORD, Steele has a criminal past including previous convictions for embezzlement. Steele was employed at the company in 1999 and was promoted to chief executive officer in 2015, court documents say. She allegedly charged approximately $255,000 for stays at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, more than $500,000 for jewelry, over $200,000 for family wedding expenses and more than $100,000 for flowers. 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It was a lonely Christmas when his wife showed him the door, until he met Jesus. The owners of Tigra USA and its parent company reside overseas. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer, announced Dena J. Her supporters said she had taken responsibility for her actions. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. Court records show that Steele embezzled over $15 million from Tigra USA and used the money to support a business run by her and her family and to fund an extravagant lifestyle. According to filed documents, as a result of Steeles embezzlement, Tigra USA experienced several difficulties, including vendors withholding products from the company for non-payment or late payments, customers complaining about being placed on credit holds, notwithstanding timely payments of their bills, employees having their company credit cards declined when they were trying to use them for legitimate business expenses, employees not being paid on time, and/or employees having their insurance cancelled without warning. Sorry - wrong address! >> PERSONALLY, I WANTOT KWNO WHO MURDERED MY MOTHERS SON IN COLD BLOOD AND WHY. Donna Osowitt Steele, of Taylorsville, North Carolina, also used stolen money to fund personal businesses run by her family, according to a court filing Friday by U.S. Attorney Dena Kings office. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kenneth Bell also ordered Steele to pay nearly. He shared these photos taken as Steele gave him and his fianc a tour. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer today and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer, announced Dena J. Weeping as she spoke in Charlotte Federal Court, Steele said she was "very sorry." The company that employed Steele as its CEO wasn't named in Fridays court filing. donna steele taylorsville, nc. Ellendale Events co-owner Kerrie Carter explains what she loves about the property that was formerly known as Steeles Farms. View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. Standing before Bell, Steele said: I am completely broken by my actions, my choice and my past. Steele was joined in the courtroom by four rows of family and friends. Lives in Ewing, Virginia. MORE NEWS: Kitchen fire dangers tend to increase during holidays. About Chantel; Contact Information; Court Records; Chantel Jeffries is 39 years old and was born on 03/02/1984. She had been living at that address since December 2007. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle, RELATED: Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal, NCSHP arrest driver accused of nearly hitting 2 students at bus stop in Statesville, CMS delays opening of new school meant to ease overcrowding, Rescue crews search for man in Rocky River near Midland, Rock band Kiss reveals Charlotte connection to hit song, Man upset sheriff posted drug house sign in yard, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. Court records show that Steele embezzled over $15 million from Victim Company A and used the money to support a business run by her and her family and to fund an extravagant lifestyle. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C. had worked for Tigra USA . Steele worked at TIGRA USA in Hickory from 1999 to January 2020. Were going to keep bees for honey, local honey. JACKIE: ALSO EVERYAY D HE SAYS HE MISSES DIXONS POSITIVITY. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Steele is charged with one count of wire fraud. For listings in Canada, the trademarks REALTOR, REALTORS, and the REALTOR logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Example video title will go here for this video. He said after several phone calls, he was able to get his money back, but the new property owner, Kerrie Carter, told Channel 9 that Steele has not reimbursed all of the brides. DEPUESTI IN HENRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA ARRESTED BELL A SHORT TIME LATER. All told, authorities claim, Steele spent over $1 million on travel for herself, family and friends, and over another $1 million on entertainment related expenses. To the left and right of the main room are hallways leading to the dressing rooms for the wedding party. A Hickory man and two Tennessee residents are facing drug trafficking charges following an investigation by state, local and federal authorities. 133 E Main Ave Taylorsville, NC 28681 In making this announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI for their investigation of the case. Goewey said he also wants the farm to be used as an educational tool. I was like, Gosh, that sounds really cool. It sounds cool, Carter said. Former Hickory CEO Steele sentenced to 8 years in prison, ordered to pay $17 million in restitution. THE EVENT WAS IN HONOR OF A MAN, KILLED IN A DRIVE-BY SHOOTGIN LAST YEAR. deforestation in azerbaijan . THE FAMILY IS OFFERING A LARGE REWA.RD >> SO FAR THE FAMILY SAYS DETECTESIV HAVE TOLD THEM THEYRE TRYING TO JUST CONNECT THE DOTS IN THIS CASE. 171 NC Highway 127, Taylorsville, NC, 28681, United States Mailing Address. The inside of the barn is completely white. Steele used four types of financial transactions to pull off what prosecutors allege in court documents was an embezzlement scheme: personal credit card purchases on company cards; checks; Quickbooks transactions; and wire transfers. donna steele taylorsville, nc. Prosecutors also wrote that Steele created a wedge between employees and the German ownership. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina, The Defendant Admitted to Using the Embezzled Money to Finance Her Luxury Goods Business and to Fund Her Extravagant Lifestyle, Former Chief Executive Officer Pleads Guilty To Embezzling More Than $15 Million From Her Employer, Charlotte Business Owners Plead Guilty To Selling Fraudulently Obtained New iPhones Overseas, Former Insurance Executive Indicted For $2B Fraud Scheme, Huntersville, N.C. Man Is Sentenced For Wire Fraud. We have chickens. According to filed documents, as a result of Steeles embezzlement, Victim Company A experienced several difficulties, including vendors withholding products from the company for non-payment or late payments, customers complaining about being placed on credit holds, notwithstanding timely payments of their bills, employees having their company credit cards declined when they were trying to use them for legitimate business expenses, employees not being paid on time, and/or employees having their insurance cancelled without warning. For example, filed court documents show that Steele used company credit cards to pay for $6 million in personal expenditures, including to make high-end retail store purchases, to pay for luxury hotel accommodations and event ticket purchases, to buy expensive jewelry, to pay for family weddings, and to make purchases related to Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company the defendant founded in 2013. Yes these are okay and approved thank you! shed reply, court records show. Online court records dont list an attorney for her or a date for an initial court appearance. Currently, our only comment on former employee Donna Steele is: We are gratified that justice is being done, Motzer said in an email. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITI,ES 60-YEAR-OLD KENNETH BELL, JR. OF STONEVILLE SHOT THE VICTIM DURING AN ARGUMENT. The farm is roughly 72 acres and was purchased by Ellendale Farms LLC for $1.5 million in January. Weeping as she spoke in Charlotte Federal Court, Steele said she was very sorry. The judge gave her a $25,000 unsecured bond and ordered that she surrender her passport. While serving as Vice President and later as CEO, Steele used her positions to embezzle funds from Victim Company A in a number of ways, including through fraudulent company credit card purchases, company checks, Quickbooks transactions, and wire transfers. Lock HE NEVER M AET STRANGER AND THIS IS WHY HIS MURDER IS SO HURTFUL. Over. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. (WBTV) - Court records say an Alexander County woman embezzled more than $15 million from her employer to fund an extravagant lifestyle, including paying for family members weddings, buying expensive jewelry and booking luxury hotels. Furthermore, Steele caused 127 fraudulent and unauthorized wire transfers to be executed as Quickbooks transactions, transferring more than $4.7 million from Victim Company As bank accounts to her personal bank account. POLICE, AL HSOOPEFUL ITLL BRING IN NEW LEADS. Irmo Fire has some tips to avoid them. Donna Osowitt Steele (Facebook photo) A Taylorsville woman is accused of embezzling over $ 15 million from her Donna Osowitt Steele, of Taylorsville, North Carolina, also used stolen money to fund personal businesses run by her family, according to a court filing Friday by U.S. Attorney Dena King's. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. There was a problem saving your notification.