She allegedly charged approximately $255,000 for stays at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, more than $500,000 for jewelry, over $200,000 for family wedding expenses and more than $100,000 for flowers.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. MORE NEWS: So-called 'Shopping Cart Killer' accused of killing at least 4 victims in Virginia. OFFICIALS SAY, MOST THE ONE POINT FIVE MILLION SQUARE FOOT FACILITY, IS DESTROY. Initially, Steele worked in the shipping department and was promoted over the next 20 years to various positions within the company, including to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which she held until she was terminated in January 2020. According to court documents, it is alleged that Steele charged more than $1 million for travel expenses on airlines and hostels for herself, along with family and friends. 18/02/2022. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. In handing down the sentence, Bell dismissed Steeles bid for leniency as excuse-making and said he doubted she was truly remorseful for her actions. While serving as Vice President and later as CEO, Steele used her positions to embezzle funds from Victim Company A in a number of ways, including through fraudulent company credit card purchases, company checks, Quickbooks transactions, and wire transfers. property revaluation nearing completion. Have a question about Government Services? Online court records dont list an attorney for her or a date for an initial court appearance.The company that employed Steele isnt named in the court filing. For listings in Canada, the trademarks REALTOR, REALTORS, and the REALTOR logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer, announced Dena J. You have permission to edit this article. Currently, our only comment on former employee Donna Steele is: We are gratified that justice is being done, Motzer said in an email. EVERY PHONE CALL ENDED WITH I LOVE YOU. Being remorseful, in our opinion, would start with a check, TIGRA CEO Bernd Motzer, who came from Germany to speak to the court, said. But prosecutors said its a subsidiary of a foreign corporation and makes carbide products used in saw blades for the woodworking industry. On the night before Christmas, he was kicked out of his house. She opened bank accounts and credit cards in the name of her unsuspecting company and limited communication between employees and the company owners, prosecutors said in court papers. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website, Steele was incarcerated from Aug. 1, 1995 until June 28, 1996. In making this announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI for their investigation of the case. . Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. STATESVILLE, N.C. A former CEO has been charged with embezzling more than $15 million from her employer and using stolen money to pay for a lavish lifestyle, including travel, jewelry and family weddings. Donna Steele (Douglas steele) See Photos. A Taylorsville property, once home to The Nest wedding venue at Steele's Farms, has new owners. LOUIE: BECAUSE OF TODAYS RAIN, THE CITY OF BURLINGTONAS H CANCELED THE HOLIDAY MAGIC FESTIVAL. 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. You can cancel at any time. For example, filed court documents show that Steele used company credit cards to pay for $6 million in personal expenditures, including to make high-end retail store purchases, to pay for luxury hotel accommodations and event ticket purchases, to buy expensive jewelry, to pay for family weddings, and to make purchases related to Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company the defendant founded in 2013. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Vento, of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case. FAIRVIEW RESIDENT FACES NUMEROUS . HES BEING HELD IN HENRY COUNTY, WAITING FOR EXTRADITION, TO ROCKINGHAM COUY.NT NEW TONIGHT, WINSTON-SALEM RESIDENTS HANDED OUT FOOD TO THOSE WHO NEED THE EXTRA HELP. Taylorsville, NC North Carolina. We have chickens. NEW TONIGHT, THE ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS A MAN IS IN CUSTODY AFTEAR SHOOTING LEFT ONE MAN HURT INVESTIGATORS SAY, THEY WERE TOLD ABOUT A MAN AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL, WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND. . POLICE, AL HSOOPEFUL ITLL BRING IN NEW LEADS. A sentencing date has not been set. EMERSONS THAT NIGHT, GOING BACK THERE HAS BEEN EMOTIONAL. 7. Goewey said he also wants the farm to be used as an educational tool. Ellendale Events. 227 West Trade St. AS JACKIE PASCALE REPORTS, IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THE DEATH OF LACARNLY DIXON. 151-200 Guests . King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Tigra makes equipment for the metalworking and woodworking industries. Donna Steele lives at 1260 6th N.W. 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. During the same time period, Steele executed at least 117 fraudulent and unauthorized bank wires, totaling more than $2.2 million, from Victim Company As bank accounts to the defendants personal bank account, which she then used for her personal benefit, including to fund a personal real estate closing. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kenneth Bell also ordered Steele to pay nearly. 171 NC Highway 127 Taylorsville 28681 NC United States Previous Names Opulence, LLC Opulence by Steele, LLC Steeles Construction Design Team, LLc Steeles Design Studio Boutique LLC Inactive Directors / Officers Steele, Donna O, member Steele, Timothy, agent Steele, Timothy Sean, member Registry Page https://www.sosnc.gov/online_services. The company that employed Steele isnt named in the court filing. Were going to keep bees for honey, local honey. The attorneys also claimed the corporate culture at TIGRA brought out the worst in Steele. She agreed to start early repayment in March. Find more info on AllPeople about Steele Donna and Tigra Inc, as well as people who work for similar businesses nearby, colleagues for other branches, and more people with a similar name. ! Court records show that Steele embezzled over $15 million from Tigra USA and used the money to support a business run by her and her family and to fund an extravagant lifestyle. (828) 632-4621, Statesville Man Charged With Passing School Bus, Former Lake Norman Softball Coach Facing More Charges, Taylorsville Man To Serve Twenty To Thirty-Three Months In Prison, Statesville Police Investigating Shooting Incident. Tigra, an international company with a business based in Hickory, confirmed Steele was employed at the business. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer Wednesday and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer. TAYLORSVILLE, NC (WSOC) A Taylorsville woman has been charged in a wire fraud embezzlement scheme, according to court documents. December 21, 2016. They noted the company hired and promoted Steele despite her lack of education and the fact she was on supervised release after serving a federal prison sentence for personally cashing checks from another business. Prosecutors also wrote that Steele created a wedge between employees and the German ownership. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Steele faces a forfeiture judgment of nearly $16.9 million, prosecutors said in court documents. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. THE EVENT WAS ALREADY RESCHEDULED, FROM LAST SATURDAY. STEELE'S DESIGN STUDIO LLC is a North Carolina Domestic Limited-Liability Company filed on June 29, 2018. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. 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. 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. Carter and Goewey said their desire to serve comes from decades spent in the hospitality industry. All told, authorities claim, Steele spent over $1 million on travel for herself, family and friends, and over another $1 million on entertainment related expenses. There is a large white barn on the property that serves as an event venue. I started freaking out. Weve looked at several properties. Irmo Fire has some tips to avoid them. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In addition to the credit card purchases, Steele admitted to issuing and causing to be issued to herself approximately 98 checks totaling more than $2.8 million from Tigra USAs bank accounts, which Steele deposited into her personal bank account. You have permission to edit this article. THE FAMILY IS OFFERING A LARGE REWA.RD >> SO FAR THE FAMILY SAYS DETECTESIV HAVE TOLD THEM THEYRE TRYING TO JUST CONNECT THE DOTS IN THIS CASE. For example, filed court documents show that Steele used company credit cards to pay for $6 million in personal expenditures, including to make high-end retail store purchases, to pay for luxury hotel accommodations and event ticket purchases, to buy expensive jewelry, to pay for family weddings, and to make purchases related to Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company the defendant founded in 2013. But prosecutors said its a subsidiary of a foreign corporation that makes products for the woodworking industry. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Carter said she was speechless the first time she came down the driveway to the barn venue. There was a problem saving your notification. Yes these are okay and approved thank you! shed reply, court records show. UPDATE: Missing Belmont child has been located, NC jewelry maker's work featured in Netflix film, Thunderstorm brings down trees in Mecklenburg County, So-called 'Shopping Cart Killer' accused of killing at least 4 victims in Virginia, Kitchen fire dangers tend to increase during holidays. 5 Stars (2) Reviews. He shared these photos taken as Steele gave him and his fianc a tour. donna steele taylorsville, nc. Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud embezzlement scheme, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Her supporters said she had taken responsibility for her actions. Were really kind of just starting to look into all the opportunities here, but thats kind of what we see, where we see it going into the future., The names, Ellendale Farms and Ellendale Events, were inspired by the location of the farm. Me and Stacy have been looking for a working farm for the past year and a half to two years to invest in together. Picture: Supplied. Today, he is the owner of the Chick-fil-A restaurant on U.S. 70 in Hickory, he said. HE WAS ALWAYS CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS AND WILLING TO HELP OTHERS AND GIVE BACK. A Taylorsville property, once home to The Nest wedding venue at Steeles Farms, has new owners. View Records Or browse possible matches below Donna Kay Steele Age 63 years old Gender Female Lived in San Antonio, TX Orofino, ID Email ri****@g****.com do****@y****.com jo****@g****.com A former CEO has been charged with embezzling more than $15 million from her employer and using stolen money to pay for a lavish lifestyle, including travel, jewelry and family weddings, according to federal prosecutors. 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. Five new members honored Monday, Nov. 19. Earlier this year, Channel 9s Dave Faherty. She was up most of the night, crying, stressing out about it, because this is one of the best days of her life, he said. Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud embezzlement scheme, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. MORE NEWS: Kitchen fire dangers tend to increase during holidays. deforestation in azerbaijan . Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C. had worked for Tigra USA . Get this The Charlotte Observer page for free from Tuesday, July 27, 1999 Y 27 1999 9C m ir mvmF -0S-47SVKMI DEATHS from preceding page North Carolina FAIRMONT Mrs Elisabeth Hun-sucker . I THINK ABOUT WTHA HAPPENED EVERY DAY. 171 NC Highway 127, Taylorsville, NC, 28681, United States Mailing Address. Kristen Whisenant approached the podium with a poster in her hands. Some days, William Armstrong clocks in at 8 a.m. and stays on the job until 9 p.m. A Newton man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with an attack against a fellow psychiatric patient at Catawba Valley Medica. Following the entry of her guilty plea, Steele was released on bond. Assets like this wedding venue in Alexander County, where Seth Couch planned on being married in May. BELL IS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON. If that doesn't work, you can try accessing the legacy WRAL site here or go back to WRAL.com here By Michael Ashcraft . Donna is a undesignated registered to vote in Alexander County, North Carolina. The former CEO of a North Carolina manufacturer embezzled over $15 million to fund "an extravagant lifestyle" that included $500,000 in jewelry purchases and stays at pricey New York and Hawaii hotels, federal prosecutors alleged in court papers. Federal defendant Donna Steele arrives at the federal courthouse in Charlotte for sentencing on embezzlement charges in November. Steele had earlier agreed to pay restitution. An 18-year-old and a juvenile were arrested on Friday in connection to a threat made against Maiden High School. Hickory Daily Record city reporter Donna Osowitt Steele is accused of embezzling more than $15 . She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. 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. Court records show that Steele embezzled over $15 million from Victim Company A and used the money to support a business run by her and her family and to fund an extravagant lifestyle. And Steele used her position to respond to credit card companies when they flagged questionable purchases, according to court documents. West Jefferson, NC 28694 (336) 246-2179 [email protected] www.tigra-usa.com. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Photos courtesy of LAZE L FARM PHOTOGRAPHY, Photo courtesy of LAZE L FARM PHOTOGRAPHY, Destroy a Bradford pear tree and get a free replacement, Concerned parent brings poster of explicit quotes to school board meeting, Two seriously injured in crash on Tate Boulevard; helicopter flies one victim to hospital, He's 24 and the new police chief in Town of Brookford; Armstrong: We have the opportunity to really change someone's life, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Newton man faces attempted murder charge in connection with attack at Catawba Valley Medical Center, 'On Patrol: Live' -- Brookford Police to be featured on TV show, Hickory man sentenced to 50 years on child pornography charges, Catawba County Hornets blank Albion 36-0 to win national championship, Call about person passed out in church parking lot leads to multiple drug charges for Conover man, Letter: Store closing because of its 'woke' views, Catawba County Sheriff's Office seeks suspect in robbery of Newton convenience store, Update: Airlifted driver in stable condition following 3-vehicle crash on Tate Boulevard on Monday, Hickory home damaged by fire; firefighter taken to hospital, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza. NEWTON There is currently a reward being offered in Catawba County for bounty hunting gardeners who are willing to seek and destroy foul sme. Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, received her sentence Thursday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Charlotte. Steele admitted that, in an effort to hide the fraudulent scheme, she limited communications and interactions between the employees and owners for Tigra USA and monitored communications that did occur, she convinced employees that company owners should be feared, and lied to employees about the true nature of Tigra USAs financial trouble. Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making this announcement. In addition to the credit card purchases, Steele admitted to issuing and causing to be issued to herself approximately 98 checks totaling more than $2.8 million from Victim Company As bank accounts, which Steele deposited into her personal bank account. About Chantel; Contact Information; Court Records; Chantel Jeffries is 39 years old and was born on 03/02/1984. Steele admitted that, in an effort to hide the fraudulent scheme, she limited communications and interactions between the employees and owners for Victim Company A and monitored communications that did occur, she convinced employees that company owners should be feared, and lied to employees about the true nature of Victim Company As financial trouble. South Carolina quarterbacks for 2022. TAYLORSVILLE - Donna Little Fox, 70, of Taylorsville, passed away Saturday, May 26, 2007, at Catawba Valley Medical Center. The company's filing status is listed as Current-Active and its File Number is 1722038 . In pushing for a relatively lenient sentence, Steeles attorneys argued that her mental health challenges, particularly a desire to buy love as a result of an abusive childhood, contributed to her embezzlement. Wednesday Bible Study, Adventure Kids, OBEY Youth, & Band Rehearsal - 6:00p Donna Steele North Carolina Hickory Donna O Steele Donna O Steele, Age 53 aka Donna M Brendleosowitt, Donna M Kelley, Donna M Osowitt Current Address: IHCI 6th St NW, Hickory, NC Past Addresses: Hickory NC, Kannapolis NC +11 more Phone Number: (828) 322- CGIL +14 phones Email Address: s XBCM @yahoo.com UNLOCK PROFILE Phone & Email (16) The Associated Press contributed to this report. Initially, Steele worked in the shipping department and was promoted over the next 20 years to various positions within the company, including to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which she held until she was terminated in January 2020. A Taylorsville woman, charged in a wire fraud embezzlement scheme worth millions, has accepted a plea deal. Steele used four types of financial transactions to pull off what prosecutors allege in court documents was an embezzlement scheme: personal credit card purchases on company cards; checks; Quickbooks transactions; and wire transfers. A sentencing date has not been set. The property was previously owned by Timothy and Donna Steele. The company that employed Steele as its CEO wasn't named in Fridays court filing. A barn on the property has been turned into an event venue. Check resumes and CV, social media profiles, public records, photos and videos, skilled experts, arrest records, work history, places of employment and business records . at approximately 10 a.m. on. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Irmo Fire has some tips to avoid them. Goewey said the operation hopes to offer vacation rentals, starting with the cabin on the property. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina, The Defendant Admitted to Using the Embezzled Money to Finance Her Luxury Goods Business and to Fund Her Extravagant Lifestyle, Former Chief Executive Officer Pleads Guilty To Embezzling More Than $15 Million From Her Employer, Charlotte Business Owners Plead Guilty To Selling Fraudulently Obtained New iPhones Overseas, Former Insurance Executive Indicted For $2B Fraud Scheme, Huntersville, N.C. Man Is Sentenced For Wire Fraud. 133 E Main Ave Taylorsville, NC 28681 This is the one, when it came available, we decided to go for it, Goewey said. Carter wrote to the judge handling Steeles embezzlement case saying: Ms. Donna Steele North Carolina Donna Steele North Carolina Donna Steele could be living in Kill Devil Hills, Ahoskie, Whittier or 1 other places in North Carolina. >> PERSONALLY, I WANTOT KWNO WHO MURDERED MY MOTHERS SON IN COLD BLOOD AND WHY. >> WED LIKE ANY HELP AND ALL HELP TO MAKE SURE THIS MURDERER IS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud embezzlement scheme, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Because of Steeles actions, prosecutors said, vendors withheld products from the company due to late or non-payment, and customers complained about being placed on credit holds despite paying what they owed on time. and Tate Blvd. Along with the embezzlement charge in 1995, Steele has also pleaded guilty to fraud rental vehicle in Forsyth County in 1995, two counts of forgery in Forsyth County in 1994, two counts of worthless checks in Forsyth County in 1994, four counts of worthless checks in 1994 in Yadkin County, five counts of worthless checks in 1995 in Davie County, and four counts of worthless checks in 1995 in Forsyth County, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website. NOT FAR AWAY, THE BLACK TIGER MOTORCYCLE CLUB AND SKILZ, WHEELS AND TIRES, COLLECTED FOOD, FOR SAMARITAN MINISTRIES. She was born Jan. 19, 1937, in Alexander County to Lionel Haslin Little and Thats where the names came from.. Furthermore, Steele caused 127 fraudulent and unauthorized wire transfers to be executed as Quickbooks transactions, transferring more than $4.7 million from Victim Company As bank accounts to her personal bank account. Donna Osowitt Steele, age 52 of Taylorsville, admitted in Federal Court on Wednesday to embezzling more than $15 million from a company in Hickory where she was once CEO. Other purchases included $2,000 at luxury clothier Ted Baker and $1,800 at cosmetics retailer Sephora in New York, prosecutors said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Goewey said their plan is to have a working farm on the property. Jewish man found the Messiah Christmas Eve, reading Gideon's Bible. She was ordered to pay $270,131.89 in restitution. A lock ( Osowitt declined to comment when reached on her cell phone Saturday. Taylorsville, North Carolina Donna Osowitt Steele is listed at 171 Nc 127 Hwy Taylorsville, Nc 28681 and is affiliated with the Republican Party. "We are gratified that justice is being done," Bernd Motzer, president and CEO with Tigra, said in an email to WCNC Charlotte. Donna Steele started in the shipping department of Tigra USA, a saw-blade company, rising to become chief executive. After years of "loose living and immorality," Elliott Osowitt was driven . Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Steele also told employees that the owners were to be feared and they should be scared to communicate with them and/or should be careful around them, according to a court filing. Donna Osowitt Steele, of Taylorsville, North Carolina, also used stolen money to fund personal businesses run by her family, according to a court filing Friday by U.S. Attorney Dena King's. >> THE AUDACITY TO MURDER SOMEONE IN THE PLACE THEY FEEL THE MOST SAFE IN FRONT OF THEIR OWN CHILD. . Among those arguing for a harsher sentence were employees who worked under Steele, one of whom wrote, We were all pawns in Donnas game..