Pennsylvania Accountant Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Embezzling $1.5 Million for Sports Betting
Lawrence Malachefski, a Pennsylvania accountant, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion after pleading guilty to embezzling over $1.5 million for sports betting from his ex-employer. The sentence also includes a three-year term of supervised release and a restitution payment of $1,586,557.45.
Malachefski, who worked as a financial controller for Engineered Building Systems, a heating, ventilation, and A/C business, initiated money transfers between company and outside accounts, stealing over $1.5 million between March and May 2023. He spent the money mostly on online sports betting on various brands.
After the embezzlement was discovered, Malachefski underwent treatment for gambling addiction and has since ceased all forms of gambling. He has made a restitution payment and has a tax refund that will be applied to his debt. In the meantime, he has been delivering groceries for Instacart to make amends for his actions.
The case was investigated by the FBI – Philadelphia Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John. Friends of Malachefski have vouched for his character, hoping the judge will consider his positive qualities before handing down the sentence.
Source
Photo credit www.sportstalkphilly.com