When credit card companies reached out to Steele about suspicious transactions, she would respond saying the transactions were approved, the documents said. 75. The court documents state that Steele was suffering from a mental condition that was insufficient to constitute a defense but significantly reduced the defendants capability. The company almost did go under, Motzer said. 'We were all pawns in Donna's game:' Employees blast embezzling former CEO in letters to judge. Prosecutors said she used company credit cards, checks and wire transfers to steal company funds, transferring $350,000 to a boutique company called Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company she created in 2013. Two other letters, also critical of Steele, were submitted for the courts consideration in March. 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. S. Cayer said in court. Assets like this wedding venue in Alexander County, where Seth Couch planned on being married in May. Hickory fiber optic manufacturer CommScope was the victim of a ransomware attack in late March, the company confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Please subscribe to keep reading. Email: kgriffin@hickoryrecord.com. Court documents said she used the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle, including travel, $500,000 on jewelry, and family weddings. Carter said she was speechless the first time she came down the driveway to the barn venue. Court documents showed Steele spent over half a million on jewelry alone. Email Address: s XBCM @yahoo.com. Court documents reveal Donna Steele took more than $15 million from a business in Hickory. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Donna Steele lives in West Jefferson, NC; previous city include Hickory NC. You have permission to edit this article. Steele appeared in front of a federal judge in Charlotte to learn her sentencing. Kevin Griffin is the City of Hickory reporter at the Hickory Daily Record. 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. Her personal card would never be rejected, Mooneyham wrote. She also siphoned off money from the company to support her side businesses. Prosecutors said Steele used company credit cards, checks and wire transfers to steal company funds. Steele was also charged with fraudulent rental of motor vehicle in April of 1995, according to court documents. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. They have also lived in Cumming, GA and Winston Salem, NC. 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. Online court records dont list an attorney for her or a date for an initial court appearance. The address on file for this person is 178 North Shore Dr, Hickory, NC 28601 in Catawba County. Please subscribe to keep reading. There was a problem saving your notification. A Hickory man charged in a fatal hit-and-run in Claremont made his first appearance in Catawba County court on Monday. Steele pleads guilty to embezzling $15 million from Hickory company; she will be sentenced at a later date. Hickory fiber optic manufacturer CommScope was the victim of a ransomware attack in late March, the company confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Thats where the names came from.. Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, received her sentence Thursday . 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. Steele 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. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Steeles attorney Ronald Frey said to the judge that Steele has been cooperative with investigators. Taylorsville resident Donna Osowitt Steele also illegally spent $1 million on travel, $200,000 on family weddings, $100,000 on . Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. Maybe not surprised, Britt Perkins said. A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. Donna Osowitt Steele admitted Wednesday to embezzling more than $15 million from a company in Hickory where she was once CEO. Federal defendant Donna Steele arrives at the federal courthouse in Charlotte for sentencing on embezzlement charges in November. I started freaking out. (WSOC). 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. Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Hopefully karma is finally going to get her, he said. Steele, 52, is accused of embezzling $15 million from 2013 until 2020 from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory where she worked as CEO. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Opulence by Steele was a high-end clothing and furniture boutique Steele founded in 2013. He said the embezzlement nearly bankrupted the company, and that it is still stuck with millions in debt. In 1994, she had 20 charges for worthless checks as well as two forgery charges in Forsyth. TIGRA is seeking restitution in excess of $16 million. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). We learned an unknown amount of jewelry was turned over the federal officials. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/SVeD7EhyWr. Federal court documents indicate Donna Osowitt Steele defrauded an unnamed Hickory company of $15 million through credit card charges, checks, QuickBooks transactions and wire transactions from 2013 through January 2020. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Steele is accused of spending millions for weddings, trips for herself and family members, other entertainment-related expenses and more. (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. Carter wrote to the judge handling Steeles embezzlement case saying: Ms. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Donna lives at 1260 6th Str NW, Hickory, NC 28601-2408. She agreed to start early repayment in March. Extra police have been stationed at Alexander Central High School following a phone call on Thursday. You have permission to edit this article. Two men and two teens have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 17-year-old seriously injured Tuesday afternoon. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. She was ordered to surrender her passport and will be sentenced at a later date. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former CEO to pay full restitution in $15M embezzlement scheme, 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. Once Steele was fired, the company no longer had inventory problems, company credit cards were not declined and there were no longer issues with employee payroll and insurance, according to the documents. Secretary at Tigra Usa INC is presently Donna's occupation. Her court date has not been scheduled. An employee at the Clerk of Court office in Davie County said Steele was charged with four counts of worthless simple checks and two probation violations in 1995. 36. St, Hickory, NC. Steele faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Donna Osowitt Steele is accused of embezzling more than $15 million from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory between 2013 and 2020. Faherty went to her home in Alexander County but was told no comment and asked to leave. There was a problem saving your notification. We have chickens. A Taylorsville woman has been charged with a wire fraud embezzlement scheme. A court filing on Friday, Dec. 17, also accuses Donna Osowitt Steele, of Taylorsville, North Carolina, of using stolen money to fund personal businesses run by her family. Steele used company credit cards to pay for $6 million in personal expenditures, including high-end retail store purchases, luxury hotel accommodations, event ticket purchases, expensive jewelry, family weddings and purchases related to Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company the defendant founded in 2013, the news release stated. 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.. Steele worked at TIGRA USA in Hickory from 1999 to January 2020. ROBERT C. REED, RECORD Court docs say the money went towards her lavish lifestyle and to fund a business run by her and her family. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. And Im thinking, Man, when the flowers and the trees and everything comes into bloom, this is just going to be a setting thats so memorable. Thats what I want to do; I want to create memories.. High quality craftsmanship, wonderful . The attorneys also claimed the corporate culture at TIGRA brought out the worst in Steele. District court records are destroyed after three years of the case being resolved in court. Neither Steeles attorney nor a federal prosecutor involved in the case had returned a call asking for more details on the prepayment as of noon on Thursday. 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. We grabbed lunch downtown and then took a brief stroll on the City Walk. Britt Perkins is Jacks son. Steele appeared in . 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. You can cancel at any time. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Steele was employed at the company in 1999 and was promoted to chief executive officer in 2015, court documents say. {{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'. He would have been floored if he heard this (the latest charges). Court documents said she used the money to pay for her lavish . 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 employees having their insurance canceled without warning. . By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Even a billboard with the Steele name on it is now available after her wedding venue down the road was sold. [ALSO READ: Former high school booster . Jack Perkins died in May 2021. Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Carter and Goewey said their desire to serve comes from decades spent in the hospitality industry. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. She pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of larceny. There was a problem saving your notification. The memo said she blamed the owners for financial irregularities such as lapses in health insurance coverage and late paychecks. {{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'. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Dissolved. . The property was previously owned by Timothy and Donna Steele. She's accused of embezzling over $15 million from her employer from 2013-2020. 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. Reporter Dave Faherty has closely followed every development in Steeles case and was in court Wednesday morning when she addressed the judge, apologizing while fighting back tears. The best result we found for your search is Donna M Steele age 50s in Hickory, NC. Steele, who lives in Alexander County, is scheduled to appear in federal court in Charlotte on Wednesday. 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. A Taylorsville property, once home to The Nest wedding venue at Steeles Farms, has new owners. You can cancel at any time. The documents said she used stolen money to fund an extravagant lifestyle and a personal business, Opulence by Steele, in Taylorsville. Carter wrote to the judge handling Steele's embezzlement case saying: "Ms. Steele . Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, received her sentence Thursday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Charlotte. Federal court documents indicate Donna Osowitt Steele defrauded an unnamed Hickory company of $15 million through credit card charges, checks, QuickBooks transactions and wire transactions from . Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal. The inside of the barn is completely white. Tigra Steele pleaded guilty to a wire fraud embezzlement scheme that involved Tigra, a company based out of Hickory. Cayer asked Steele if she would like to say anything to the court. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). And she was believable, Britt Perkins said.

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