Former Controller for Marco Contractors Inc. Pleads Guilty in $8.7M Embezzlement Scheme

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Sewickley, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud and filing false income tax returns, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Sue O’Neill, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that O’Neill, while employed as the Controller for Marco Contractors, Inc., embezzled approximately $8.7 million. The Court was further advised that she and another individual started a company called Bulldog Contractors LLC and used approximately $6.7 million of the stolen money to fund the business. The other $2 million in embezzled funds went into her personal bank account. O’Neill and her business partner used the stolen funds for business expenses and for personal use. Among other things, the Court was advised that they purchased two 1969 Ford Shelby GT500s for approximately $160,000 each and spent approximately $163,000 renovating a 1969 Ford Mustang. Lastly, the Court was advised that O’Neill filed false income tax returns because she did not declare the stolen funds as taxable income.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for March 26, 2020. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud conviction and three years in prison for the false tax return conviction. The law also provides for a fine of $500,000.00. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/former-controller-marco-contractors-inc-pleads-guilty-87m-embezzlement-scheme