Ottawa Hills man denies the embezzlement of $1M
toledoblade.com | 3/11/08 | KATE GIAMMARISE
A man accused of embezzling more than $1 million from a former subsidiary of Block Communications Inc. pleaded not guilty at an initial appearance in federal court yesterday.
Barry J. Webne, of 3803 Indian Road, Ottawa Hills, had been employed by Community Communications Services, the former subsidiary. Webne faces one count of mail fraud for allegedly embezzling more than $1 million from the company between July, 2001, and July, 2006. According to information filed in federal court, Webne allegedly wrote checks to himself, destroyed the cashed checks, and made false bookkeeping entries to conceal the theft. He would also allegedly submit fraudulent payroll forms to give himself unauthorized salary increases as well as write checks to a company he co-owned.
If convicted, Webne could face 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Yesterday, Webne, clad in a dark-colored suit, told Magistrate Vernelis Armstrong in U.S. District Court, Toledo, that he understood the charges against him and waived his right to present the case to a grand jury. Webne did not make any statements during the proceedings other than to reply, "Yes, your honor," to the magistrate's questions.
The defendant's attorney, Jon Richardson, declined to comment beyond the statements made in court, as did Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Karol.
After listing the conditions, she sternly reminded Webne, "These are very serious charges," and said he should behave accordingly.
According to the Web site for Webne Consulting Group, Webne in 1995 was convicted of bank fraud for embezzling more than $1 million over a four-year period and served a six-month federal prison sentence.
Since his release from prison in 1997, he has worked as consultant and lecturer, his Web site indicates. He is also the author of The Everyday Guide to Detecting and Preventing Employee Theft.