Steele is undergoing treatment for her mental health problems, according to a letter from a therapist. 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. She is currently awaiting sentencing. 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. Donna O Steele, Age 54. aka Donna M Brendleosowitt, Donna M Kelley, Donna M Osowitt. We build and install lighted signs.. Steele, 52, is accused of embezzling $15 million from 2013 until 2020 from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory where she worked as CEO. Court documents said she used the money to pay for her lavish . This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Hickory fiber optic manufacturer CommScope was the victim of a ransomware attack in late March, the company confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Steele was also charged with fraudulent rental of motor vehicle in April of 1995, according to court documents. Donna lives at 1260 6th Str NW, Hickory, NC 28601-2408. Secretary at Tigra Usa INC is presently Donna's occupation. The best result we found for your search is Donna M Steele age 50s in Hickory, NC. You can cancel at any time. Company president Bernd Motzer confirmed the unnamed company is TIGRA USA. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. He said after several phone calls, he was able to get his money back, but the new property owner, Kerrie Carter, told Channel 9 that Steele has not reimbursed all of the brides. Two men and two teens have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 17-year-old seriously injured Tuesday afternoon. Steele is charged with one count of wire fraud. Over the last couple of months, the Steele name has been removed from storefronts and other buildings. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. View their profile including current address, phone number 828-322-XXXX, background check reports, and property record on Whitepages, the most trusted online directory. We are gratified that justice is being done, Motzer, the president of the company, said in an email. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). A cabin on the property can be used as a vacation rental for out-of-town guests. 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. Donna Steele enters the federal courthouse in Charlotte to plead guilty to wire fraud on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. I think that we have some families in the community who are really interested in educating, teaching, Goewey said. 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 TIGRAs bank accounts, which Steele deposited into her personal bank account. Perkins said the company was alerted to the embezzlement when the bank informed Jack Perkins about odd activity in the account. NC 28681 (828) 632-4621 . Hickory, NC. I was just shocked because usually in a small town you hear of something that big, Heather Cox said. Carter described the barn as shabby chic. The barn has two white brick silos near the entrance, both more than two stories tall. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. Earlier this year, Channel 9s Dave Faherty reported that Donna Steele pleaded guilty to a wire fraud embezzlement scheme that involved Tigra, a company based out of Hickory. He shared these photos taken as Steele gave him and his fianc a tour. The property was previously owned by Timothy and Donna Steele. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Lia Bantavani with the U.S. Department of Justice said Donna Osowitt Steele has agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud. Steeles criminal record goes as far back as 1990 when she was first charged with embezzlement. That girl, shes evil, Britt Perkins said. She admitted diverting more than $15 million of company money, funds that were used for lavish purchases and to support her clothing company Opulence by Steele. The company is a North Carolina Domestic Business Corporation, which was filed on March 12, 2015. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. Kevin Griffin is the City of Hickory reporter at the Hickory Daily Record. And so they went Ellendale Farms and then this ones Ellendale Events. A Hickory man charged in a fatal hit-and-run in Claremont made his first appearance in Catawba County court on Monday. Court documents say the embezzlement was discovered after vendors began withholding products from Tigra because of nonpayment or late payments, customers complaining about being placed on credit holds, employees having their company credit cards declined, and employees not being paid on time. Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud in federal court in Charlotte. 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. She claimed her parents were very wealthy and that was how she could afford all of the stuff she did, he said. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. We were so blown away with what she did to us, Perkins said. There was a problem saving your notification. In 1993, she faced eight worthless check charges in Forsyth County, according to the county court records. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. CHARLOTTE, N.C., NOV. 3, 2022 - Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, of Taylorsville, N.C., was sentenced today to eight years in prison for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer, announced Dena J. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. 2 min read. Seeing someone come in town and do good things in town, we were all kind of excited. Donna Steele arrives Thursday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Charlotte for sentencing on embezzlement charges, Steeles detractors and supporters submitted letters to the court seeking to influence the sentence. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. Steele admitted that, in an effort to hide the fraudulent scheme, she limited communications and interactions between the employees and owners for TIGRA and monitored communications that did occur, she convinced employees that company owners should be feared, and lied to employees about the true nature of TIGRAs financial trouble, according to the news release. Steele also caused 127 fraudulent and unauthorized wire transfers to be executed as Quickbooks transactions, transferring more than $4.7 million from TIGRAs bank accounts to her personal bank account. 2. She is expected to formally accept the plea agreement in Charlotte, Bantavani said. There is a large white barn on the property that serves as an event venue. A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle, RELATED: Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal, 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. Donna Steele lives in West Jefferson, NC; previous city include Hickory NC. Donna Steele Donna Steele enters the federal courthouse in Charlotte to plead guilty to wire fraud on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. 34. Earlier this year, Channel 9s Dave Faherty reported that Donna Steele pleaded guilty to a wire fraud embezzlement scheme that involved Tigra, a company based out of Hickory. After pleading guilty, Channel 9 now knows that as part of her plea agreement, Steele has agreed to pay full restitution in the embezzlement case and is liquidating her assets, according to court documents. Clinic Employee Charged With Embezzlement, WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), ALSO READ: Register of Deeds accused of embezzling more than $100K from Catawba County, Fisherman pulls massive catfish out of Lake Norman, City worker killed in accidental fire at home, Charlotte Fire says, 3-year construction project on NCs Blue Ridge Parkway begins, Cornelius police officer resigns after arrest, officials say, 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. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. The memo said she blamed the owners for financial irregularities such as lapses in health insurance coverage and late paychecks. Hopefully karma is finally going to get her, he said. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, no letters in support of Steele were posted in her case file. Email: kgriffin@hickoryrecord.com. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. {{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'. A couple who works at a coffee shop and sign business down the street from some of the Steeles family businesses on Main Street in Taylorsville said they were shocked. Prosecutors also wrote that Steele created a wedge between employees and the German ownership. A Taylorsville property, once home to The Nest wedding venue at Steeles Farms, has new owners. He said she used the money to purchase a house, cars, extravagant trips and a Jet Ski. The company moved to Hickory in 2008. According to the documents, some of the charges to company credit cards Steele made include $1 million for travel expenses on airlines and hotels for herself, her family and friends, $1 million in entertainment-related expenses and $500,000 in jewelry. On Jan. 12, Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million dollars from TIGRA USA in Hickory, where she was once CEO, according to court documents. Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Steele was hired at AdSign Corporation in October 1994 as an office manager. {{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, 'On Patrol: Live:' Brookford police to appear on TV show again; episodes air Friday, Saturday nights, Update: 2 adults, 2 teens charged in Hickory shooting that injured 17-year-old, 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'. . 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. A Hickory man charged in a fatal hit-and-run in Claremont made his first appearance in Catawba County court on Monday. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Steele moved into these houses in September 2016, but she had previously lived at 586 Cherry Ave, West Jefferson NC 28694. Prosecutors originally asked for 70-87 months of prison time. We didnt know what we were doing because we didnt get an email a text message a phone call or anything about what to do, Couch said. On Jan. 12, Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million dollars from TIGRA USA in Hickory, where she was once CEO . When credit card companies reached out to Steele about suspicious transactions, she would respond saying the transactions were approved, the documents said. TIGRA is seeking restitution in excess of $16 million. [ALSO READ: Former high school booster club treasurer accused of embezzlement]. Steele would blame the pay and cash flow irregularities on the companys German owners while also isolating her fellow employees from the owners, instructing them not to communicate with the ownership and to include her in the communications with the ownership, according to the employees. It will be a working farm. High quality craftsmanship, wonderful . Please subscribe to keep reading. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. They have also lived in Cumming, GA and Winston Salem, NC. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Steele was released on bond following the court hearing, and she left the courthouse with her attorney. You look at what she did to him, maybe he wouldnt have been that shocked.. 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. Earlier this year, Channel 9s Dave Faherty reported that Donna Steele pleaded guilty to a wire fraud embezzlement scheme that involved Tigra, a company based out . (WSOC). Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). According to Forsyth County court documents, Steele embezzled money at AdSign from Oct. 10, 1994 to March 31, 1995. She is expected to plead guilty and faces a possible sentence of 20 years in prison, Lia Bantavani with the U.S. Department of Justice said. They have also lived in Taylorsville, NC and Cumming, GA. Donna is related to Elliott David Osowitt and Jordan Osowitt as well as 3 additional people. He admits it was a difficult time for his bride-to-be. {{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, 'On Patrol: Live:' Brookford police to appear on TV show again; episodes air Friday, Saturday nights, Update: 2 adults, 2 teens charged in Hickory shooting that injured 17-year-old, 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. Faherty went to her home in Alexander County but was told no comment and asked to leave. Documents say Steele transferred more than $350,000 of embezzled money to the family company. 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. A barn on the property has been turned into an event venue. The attorneys also faulted TIGRA. Mooneyham also recalled Steele using her own credit card in some cases to pay for charges when the company card was declined. Last week, The Times reported that Donna Osowitt Steele, of Taylorsville, was named as the alleged embezzler of more than $15 million in a Bill of . Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from Tigra for over seven years, according to federal documents. Cayer gave her a $25,000 unsecured bond and ordered that she surrender her passport. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Email: kgriffin@hickoryrecord.com. 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. 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. Carter spent the last 20 years as an event planner for Chick-fil-A, she said. Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, received her sentence Thursday . We grabbed lunch downtown and then took a brief stroll on the City Walk. You have permission to edit this article. Her personal card would never be rejected, Mooneyham wrote. Employees of a tool company in Hickory condemned their former CEO Donna Steele as a manipulative liar in letters to a federal judge intended to influence sentencing in Steeles embezzlement case. Seth Couch said it took weeks to get his money back. Those writing in support of Steele included her family members and representatives of a prison ministry Steele has worked with. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Vento of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case. The federal government would hold any payments before they are disbursed to the defrauded party. Officials told Channel 9 none of the $15 million has been paid back. Tigra is a manufacturing company that makes cutting materials for tools. During the same time period, Steele executed at least 117 fraudulent and unauthorized bank wires, totaling more than $2.2 million, from TIGRAs bank accounts to Steeles personal bank account, which she then used for her personal benefit, including to fund a personal real estate closing, according to the news release.
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