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. Chapman wrote that Steele created an atmosphere of fear and instability within the workplace and hired all of her staff as young, impressionable people and then conditioned them to fit her narrative.. Me and Stacy have been looking for a working farm for the past year and a half to two years to invest in together. Faherty also stopped by Steeles Home Market general store on Monday but said the doors were locked and there are for sale signs in front. Donna Osowitt Steele is accused of embezzling more than $15 million from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory between 2013 and 2020, according to court documents. She is expected to formally accept the plea agreement in Charlotte, Bantavani said. Alexander County woman expected to plead guilty in $15M - News Phone Number: (828) 322- CGIL +14 phones. Steele faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Steele worked there in 1994-95 when Jack Perkins was the owner. Business owner says Alexander County woman's embezzlement scheme in 1995 cost company $500,000; Donna Steele expected in court Wednesday to face charges of embezzling $15 million. Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. Earlier this year, Channel 9s Dave Faherty reported that Donna Steele pleaded guilty to a wire fraud embezzlement scheme that involved Tigra, a company based out of Hickory. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). A former Hickory CEO is set to spend eight years in federal prison for embezzling more than $15 million from the company she once headed. Goewey said their plan is to have a working farm on the property. He paid more than $3,000, only to find out the business had suddenly closed earlier in 2022. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Business owner says Alexander County woman's embezzlement scheme in A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. Please subscribe to keep reading. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Prosecutors originally asked for 70-87 months of prison time. SE Hickory, NC 28602 . Shes very slick. Perkins is the current owner of AdSign Corporation in Winston-Salem. Feds detail what NC CEO bought after allegedly embezzling $15M . 75. Former Hickory CEO Steele sentenced to 8 years in prison, ordered to A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. Donna Steele, seen here in January walking to the federal courthouse to plead guilty to embezzling millions from a Hickory company, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 3. Mooneyham, Chapman and Holm described a work environment where employees were demeaned and turned against one another. Hickory, NC. In 1994, she had 20 charges for worthless checks as well as two forgery charges in Forsyth. Steele was released on bond following the court hearing, and she left the courthouse with her attorney. You can cancel at any time. Steele was employed at the company in 1999 and was promoted to chief executive officer in 2015, federal court documents say. Please subscribe to keep reading. Select this result to view Donna M Steele's phone number, address, and more. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, no letters in support of Steele were posted in her case file. You can cancel at any time. Being remorseful, in our opinion, would start with a check, TIGRA CEO Bernd Motzer, who came from Germany to speak to the court, said. 2023 Cox Media Group. 2. Carter wrote to the judge handling Steeles embezzlement case saying: Ms. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter - hickoryrecord.com She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. From at least 2013 to January 2020 while serving as vice president and later as CEO, Steele used her position to embezzle funds from TIGRA in a number of ways, including through fraudulent company credit card purchases, company checks, Quickbooks transactions and wire transfers, according to the news release. Steele, 52, is accused of embezzling $15 million from 2013 until 2020 from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory where she worked as CEO. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The company moved to Hickory in 2008. She needs to go away for a long time.. Steele would blame the pay and cash flow irregularities on the companys German owners while also isolating her fellow employees from the owners, instructing them not to communicate with the ownership and to include her in the communications with the ownership, according to the employees. The company almost did go under, Motzer said. He shared these photos taken as Steele gave him and his fianc a tour. Carter said she is trying to locate patrons of the previous owners to try to reschedule their events. There was a problem saving your notification. Hickory fiber optic manufacturer CommScope was the victim of a ransomware attack in late March, the company confirmed in a statement Tuesday. TIGRA is seeking restitution in excess of $16 million. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Fortunately, (AdSign) caught on to her. 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. Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. James Goewey II and Stacy Austin are the co-owners of Ellendale Farms LLC. It will be a working farm. She just got really greedy really quickly, Perkins said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. Former CEO charged with embezzling $15 million from Hickory company has Donna Steele lives in West Jefferson, NC; previous city include Hickory NC. Donna Steele in Hickory, NC - Address & Phone Number | Whitepages (WATCH BELOW: Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million to fund lavish lifestyle), Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million to fund lavish lifestyle. Company president Bernd Motzer confirmed the unnamed company is TIGRA USA. 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. She was ordered to surrender her passport and will be sentenced at a later date. The memo said she blamed the owners for financial irregularities such as lapses in health insurance coverage and late paychecks. Motzer said he has since taken over as TIGRA USAs acting CEO. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Van crashes into industrial clinic on Tate Boulevard in Hickory; no serious injuries reported, Hickory fiber optic company suffered ransomware attack in March, Catawba County Schools announces 5 new principals, LOCAL PRO ROUNDUP: Bumgarner released by D-backs after clearing waivers, Comic book store owner's heroic action leads to arrest of man on attempted rape charge in Hickory, Alexander County high school received concerning call; students are safe, additional police responding, Wine, NC beer now available at two more businesses in downtown Newton, Car flips onto roof, one person injured in Hickory crash, New property values in Catawba County are a land and money grab, Hickory man makes court apperance in fatal hit-and-run, 9-year-old, baby remain hospitalized after crash that killed mother, He was born with defective heart; foundation in his memory touched many in Catawba County, Newton-Conover's Garcia signs with Carolina University for soccer, See a clip now: 'Bar Rescue' episode featuring Hickory pub that airs at 10 p.m. on April 23, Board denies book appeal in 4-3 vote; book challenger says policy unclear, 'On Patrol: Live:' Brookford police to appear on TV show again; episodes air Friday, Saturday nights, Update: 2 adults, 2 teens charged in Hickory shooting that injured 17-year-old, Ukrainian soldiers get targeted by rockets while digging trenches near Bakhmut, Scientists launch new study into humans after realizing spiders lose eyesight due to malnutrition, Analysis: Mom and pop safe as First Republic Bank fails, Biden vows banking system is 'safe and sound'. It was a lucky instance that we got notified by a vendor.. Donna M Steele | 3rd Street Ln NW, Hickory, NC | Whitepages In 1993, she faced eight worthless check charges in Forsyth County, according to the county court records. Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal. Court documents reveal Donna Steele took more than $15 million from a business in Hickory. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Downtown Hickory NC. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Van crashes into industrial clinic on Tate Boulevard in Hickory; no serious injuries reported, Hickory fiber optic company suffered ransomware attack in March, Catawba County Schools announces 5 new principals, LOCAL PRO ROUNDUP: Bumgarner released by D-backs after clearing waivers, Comic book store owner's heroic action leads to arrest of man on attempted rape charge in Hickory, Alexander County high school received concerning call; students are safe, additional police responding, Wine, NC beer now available at two more businesses in downtown Newton, Car flips onto roof, one person injured in Hickory crash, New property values in Catawba County are a land and money grab, Hickory man makes court apperance in fatal hit-and-run, 9-year-old, baby remain hospitalized after crash that killed mother, He was born with defective heart; foundation in his memory touched many in Catawba County, Newton-Conover's Garcia signs with Carolina University for soccer, See a clip now: 'Bar Rescue' episode featuring Hickory pub that airs at 10 p.m. on April 23, Board denies book appeal in 4-3 vote; book challenger says policy unclear, Ukrainian soldiers get targeted by rockets while digging trenches near Bakhmut, Scientists launch new study into humans after realizing spiders lose eyesight due to malnutrition, Analysis: Mom and pop safe as First Republic Bank fails, Biden vows banking system is 'safe and sound'. Earlier this year, Channel 9s Dave Faherty reported that Donna Steele pleaded guilty to a wire fraud embezzlement scheme that involved Tigra, a company based out . He said the embezzlement nearly bankrupted the company, and that it is still stuck with millions in debt. Irene Wysong Cline, Andrew Bridgeforth, and eight other persons are also associated with this address. NC 28681 (828) 632-4621 . 'We were all pawns in Donna's game:' Employees blast embezzling - News Hickory, NC. Steele pleaded guilty to a wire fraud embezzlement scheme that involved Tigra, a company based out of Hickory. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Steele spent more than $1 million on personal travel, according to court documents. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, in a press release. She is currently awaiting sentencing. Please subscribe to keep reading. Employees of a tool company in Hickory condemned their former CEO Donna Steele as a manipulative liar in letters to a federal judge .