Cayer also said Steele cannot leave the Western District of North Carolina without the courts permission. There is a large white barn on the property that serves as an event venue. Steele pleaded guilty to a wire fraud embezzlement scheme that involved Tigra, a company based out of Hickory. {{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'. Secretary at Tigra Usa INC is presently Donna's occupation. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. Prosecutors said Steele had a multi-faceted embezzlement scheme, using her position to make more than $6 million in personal credit card purchases, approximately 98 checks totaling more than $2.8 million, 127 QuickBooks transactions totaling more than $4.7 million; and at least 117 wire transfers totaling more than $2.2 million. You have permission to edit this article. It is not clear how much Steele has paid or intends to pay early or what assets she will sell to make those payments. And so they went Ellendale Farms and then this ones Ellendale Events. Shes very slick. Perkins is the current owner of AdSign Corporation in Winston-Salem. They described health insurance coverage being cut off, company credit cards being rejected, erratic changes to the pay schedule for employees and Steeles alienation of customers as a result of demands they pay early. A Taylorsville property, once home to The Nest wedding venue at Steeles Farms, has new owners. Jack Perkins died in May 2021. I think that we have some families in the community who are really interested in educating, teaching, Goewey said. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. Carter wrote to the judge handling Steeles embezzlement case saying: Ms. I remember her as being very outgoing and assertive, like she was going to get things done. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Vento of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case. I started freaking out. The attorneys also faulted TIGRA. Steele spent more than $1 million on personal travel, according to court documents. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Carter spent the last 20 years as an event planner for Chick-fil-A, she said. Please subscribe to keep reading. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. 2 min read. Donna O Steele, Age 54. aka Donna M Brendleosowitt, Donna M Kelley, Donna M Osowitt. The farm is roughly 72 acres and was purchased by Ellendale Farms LLC for $1.5 million in January. Ellendale Events co-owner Kerrie Carter explains what she loves about the property that was formerly known as Steeles Farms. She agreed to start early repayment in March. To the left and right of the main room are hallways leading to the dressing rooms for the wedding party. Steeles attorney Ronald Frey said to the judge that Steele has been cooperative with investigators. District court records are destroyed after three years of the case being resolved in court. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). This week, Judge Kenneth Bell signed off on an agreement between Donna Steele and federal prosecutors for early prepayment. Since Steeles 1995 embezzlement charge while employed by AdSign was a superior court case, those records were still available. Carter said she is trying to locate patrons of the previous owners to try to reschedule their events. The company owners live overseas, the filing says. You can cancel at any time. 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. 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. Bernd Motzer, the owner Tigra, spoke at the sentencing, noting the company almost went under due to the accused actions of Steele. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Lia Bantavani with the U.S. Department of Justice said Donna Osowitt Steele has agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. Steele entered a guilty plea in January, admitting to embezzling more than $15 million from TIGRA USA, a Germany-based tool company with a location in Hickory. Defendant has had a mental breakdown and is unable to communicate with her attorney. Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, received her sentence Thursday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Charlotte. 2. Steele fought back tears during the sentencing and turned to Motzer to apologize. They couldnt comment on the investigation, but the companys president sent an email to Channel 9 saying, Thanks for contact us. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. She was fired from the company on Jan. 28, 2020. Steele pleaded guilty to the charges on Aug. 1, 1995. She was ordered to surrender her passport and will be sentenced at a later date. You have permission to edit this article. This is not the first time Steele has faced criminal charges. Steele is expected to appear in court on Jan. 12 to formally accept the deal. A Hickory man charged in a fatal hit-and-run in Claremont made his first appearance in Catawba County court on Monday. Donna O Steele is listed as a Vice President with Steele's luxury real estate, inc. in North Carolina. You have permission to edit this article. Donna Steele lives in West Jefferson, NC; previous city include Hickory NC. Mooneyham also recalled Steele using her own credit card in some cases to pay for charges when the company card was declined. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. A Taylorsville woman, charged in a wire fraud embezzlement scheme worth millions, has accepted a plea deal. Donna Steele is 54 years old and was born on 03/08/1969. Whether its raising two chickens, gardening or whatever. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. Authorities believed she used money to also fund family businesses that were located in Alexander County, north of Hickory. S. Cayer said in court. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, no letters in support of Steele were posted in her case file. Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. Feds detail what NC CEO bought after allegedly embezzling $15M . We are gratified that justice is being done, Motzer, the president of the company, said in an email. Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal. 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. Current Address: IHCI 6th St NW, Hickory, NC. Free Tools ; Leads by Industry ; Top Profiles . Hickory Daily Record city reporter 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. Email Address: s XBCM @yahoo.com. Goewey said the operation hopes to offer vacation rentals, starting with the cabin on the property. She added: I never questioned her about this because I trusted her and never thought there was an alternative reason for doing this. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kenneth Bell also ordered Steele to pay nearly $17 million in restitution, and she is required to stay on supervised release for three years following her active sentence. The store was operated by Steele and her family and once had a Hickory address, according to the stores Facebook page. Officials told Channel 9 none of the $15 million has been paid back. The entire team was a pleasure to work with. 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. He said she used the money to purchase a house, cars, extravagant trips and a Jet Ski. She pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of larceny. Two men and two teens have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 17-year-old seriously injured Tuesday afternoon. Employees of a tool company in Hickory condemned their former CEO Donna Steele as a manipulative liar in letters to a federal judge . A Hickory man charged in a fatal hit-and-run in Claremont made his first appearance in Catawba County court on Monday. She used the misappropriated funds for lavish personal purchases and a side business. 1. She didnt say a word as Channel 9 tried asking her about the embezzlement as she walked into the federal courthouse. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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.
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