The Umansky Law Firm

The former chief financial officer for a Groveland, Florida tree farm has been given a state prison sentence to be completed after his federal prison sentence for embezzling around $15 million over many years. The embezzlement allegedly caused the tree company to have to lay off 150 employees.

The 60-year-old was given a 12 year sentence for grand theft, and will keep the man in prison for four more years after his federal sentence is completed. In 2009, the man was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for mail fraud and income tax evasion.

According to reports, the man blew hundreds of thousands of dollars at resorts across the country, Brazil, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the West Indies. He allegedly chartered private jets, had a private chef, dined in five-star restaurants, and partied at exclusive clubs. He also allegedly divorced his wife of 35 years and became estranged from his children while he showered younger men with gifts of jewelry, luxury cars, vacations, and more.

The man also allegedly explained his frequent absences from his job by telling people he had cancer. Everyone assumed he was getting experimental treatments. While he lost 100 pounds, this was allegedly because he underwent gastric bypass.

As unfortunate as this is, the judge who sentenced him pointed out that suspicion now falls on his family because victims of the fraud and police investigators will wonder whether they received any money. He claims they did not.

In addition to this, his son is an assistant state attorney prosecuting child abuse and sex crimes in Orange County. He claims that the sentencing of his father, who he does not defend in any way, shape, or form, is rare and will cost the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. His solution is to let his father finish his federal sentencing, then be put on probation for the rest of his life so he can work to pay back the tree farm.

If you or a family member has been charged with theft in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.