Donna Steele quickly understood our style and truly made our vision a reality. Donna Osowitt Steele was charged with embezzling $15 million from the Hickory office of TIGRA USA. Steele plans to liquidate some of her assets to make the payments. She used the misappropriated funds for lavish personal purchases and a side business. Donna Steele Hickory Nc - The Global Reads The company owners live overseas, the filing says. Mooneyham recalled Steele ordering her to put mailed documents such as bank statements and past-due letters in Mooneyhams car while representatives from Germany visited. Hickory, NC. Steele was released on bond following the court hearing, and she left the courthouse with her attorney. Opulence by Steele was a high-end clothing and furniture boutique Steele founded in 2013. Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle. According to the documents, some of the charges to company credit cards Steele made include $1 million for travel expenses on airlines and hotels for herself, her family and friends, $1 million in entertainment-related expenses and $500,000 in jewelry. 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, Fisherman pulls massive catfish out of Lake Norman, City worker killed in accidental fire at home, Charlotte Fire says, Another homebuyer says Keyo Tiny House didnt do the work, AA pilots picket outside Charlotte Douglas over contract negotiations, Man accused in NC deputys shooting death escapes jail, deputies say, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). TIGRA is seeking restitution in excess of $16 million. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. S. Cayer said in court. She worked in the shipping department and was promoted over the next 20 years to various positions within the company, including chief executive officer, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Donna M Steele, age 50s, lives in Hickory, NC. There was a problem saving your notification. Steele, who lives in Alexander County, is scheduled to appear in federal court in Charlotte on Wednesday. Donna Steele enters the federal courthouse in Charlotte on Thursday afternoon. You can cancel at any time. View Donna Steele's business profile as President at TIGRA. (WATCH BELOW: Charlotte fraud analyst accused of stealing nearly $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds), Charlotte fraud analyst accused of stealing nearly $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Bernd Motzer, the owner Tigra, spoke at the sentencing, noting the company almost went under due to the accused actions of Steele. Donna Osowitt Steele admitted Wednesday to embezzling more than $15 million from a company in Hickory where she was once CEO. 36. Federal defendant Donna Steele arrives at the federal courthouse in Charlotte for sentencing on embezzlement charges in November. Donna O Steele, (828) 322-3512, Hickory Public Records Instantly The federal government would hold any payments before they are disbursed to the defrauded party. A cabin on the property can be used as a vacation rental for out-of-town guests. Donna Steele lives in West Jefferson, NC; previous city include Hickory NC. Assets like this wedding venue in Alexander County, where Seth Couch planned on being married in May. 2. The phone number for Donna is (828) 322-3512 (Central Tel Co of North Carolina). They couldnt comment on the investigation, but the companys president sent an email to Channel 9 saying, Thanks for contact us. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. There is a large white barn on the property that serves as an event venue. Email: kgriffin@hickoryrecord.com. Detailed court records of the case have since been destroyed, but a summary of the case was available at the Forsyth County Courthouse. A motion filed by the prosecution last week listed the agreed-upon restitution amount at roughly $16.9 million and included a nearly 2-page list of jewelry and accessories the government has seized. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website, Steele was incarcerated from Aug. 1, 1995 until June 28, 1996. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Steele's Farms property purchased for $1.5 million; new owners plan to They described health insurance coverage being cut off, company credit cards being rejected, erratic changes to the pay schedule for employees and Steeles alienation of customers as a result of demands they pay early. Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal. Hickory fiber optic manufacturer CommScope was the victim of a ransomware attack in late March, the company confirmed in a statement Tuesday. We didnt know what we were doing because we didnt get an email a text message a phone call or anything about what to do, Couch said. And so they went Ellendale Farms and then this ones Ellendale Events. Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal It will be a working farm. That girl, shes evil, Britt Perkins said. (WATCH BELOW: Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle), Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle. Eventually, the plan is for people or organizations hosting Christmas parties and other events to rent the entire venue, Goewey said. He said she used the money to purchase a house, cars, extravagant trips and a Jet Ski. Steele fought back tears during the sentencing and turned to Motzer to apologize. Court documents say the embezzlement was discovered after vendors began withholding products from TIGRA because of nonpayment or late payments, customers complaining about being placed on credit holds, employees having their company credit cards declined, and employees not being paid on time. Please subscribe to keep reading. Hickory Daily Record city reporter We were so blown away with what she did to us, Perkins said. A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, no letters in support of Steele were posted in her case file. A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. She added: I never questioned her about this because I trusted her and never thought there was an alternative reason for doing this. The owners say the farmhouse on the property will eventually be a rental option as part of wedding packages. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. The name of a woman who confessed to an embezzlement scheme worth millions is now starting to disappear across Taylorsville. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. You have permission to edit this article. Business owner says Alexander County woman's embezzlement scheme in The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Steele is undergoing treatment for her mental health problems, according to a letter from a therapist. Steele also transferred more than $350,000 in embezzled money to a high-end clothing and furniture business that she operated called Opulence by Steele, according to the court filing. Donna O Steele, Age 54. aka Donna M Brendleosowitt, Donna M Kelley, Donna M Osowitt. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. Prosecutors originally asked for 70-87 months of prison time.