Woman lived posh life on stolen $10 million
PITTSBURGH — Federal prosecutors Tuesday said a Cranberry Township woman stole more than $10.2 million from a former employer over 6Z\x years.
During that time, they said, she lived a life of extravagance and luxury.
Patricia K. Smith, 57, was the controller for the Baierl Acura dealership in Wexford.
Smith pleaded guilty to one felony count of wire fraud Tuesday morning in federal court. She will be sentenced on May 9, and is expected under a plea bargain to be sentenced to 5 to 6 years in jail.
Included in Smith’s sentence is restitution payments and forfeiture of every piece of property bought with the stolen money, including 10 cars, four houses, cash, jewelry, stocks, flat screen televisions, a mink coat and a baby grand piano.
But that list barely reveals the posh life lived by Smith during her theft and spending spree.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Kaufman, Smith traveled to seven countries in Europe as well as to four Caribbean islands.
She spent more than $1.8 million on private jet charters to locations, while she also spent nearly $45,000 for four club-level tickets to the Super Bowl in Dallas, Texas when the Pittsburgh Steelers played the Green Bay Packers.
She rented expensive limousines in Paris and racked up a $43,000 bill at a hotel there.
“This is an unfortunate case of an extraordinary fraud perpetrated on a well-respected local business,” U.S. Attorney David Hickton said. “The only explanation appears to be simple greed.”