Faherty went to her home in Alexander County but was told no comment and asked to leave. In 1993, she faced eight worthless check charges in Forsyth County, according to the county court records. 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. Ellendale is a rural community in Alexander County and the community volunteer fire department sits beside the farm. NC 28681 (828) 632-4621 . Steele worked at TIGRA USA in Hickory from 1999 to January 2020. 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. A Taylorsville woman has been charged with a wire fraud embezzlement scheme. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. The attorneys also claimed the corporate culture at TIGRA brought out the worst in Steele. A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. Seeing someone come in town and do good things in town, we were all kind of excited. Company president Bernd Motzer confirmed the unnamed company is TIGRA USA. Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle. You have permission to edit this article. I remember her as being very outgoing and assertive, like she was going to get things done. Federal court documents indicate Donna Osowitt Steele defrauded an unnamed Hickory company of $15 million through credit card charges, checks, QuickBooks transactions and wire transactions from . Today, he is the owner of the Chick-fil-A restaurant on U.S. 70 in Hickory, he said. A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. Two other letters, also critical of Steele, were submitted for the courts consideration in March. The judge could also consider that in the 1990s, Steele was jailed for her role in another embezzlement case where she was accused of stealing half a million dollars from a family-owned business near Winston-Salem. He has horses. The former CEO has been charged with embezzling more than $15 million from her employer and using stolen money to pay for a lavish lifestyle, including travel, jewelry and family weddings, according to the courts. . Even a billboard with the Steele name on it is now available after her wedding venue down the road was sold. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Shes very slick. Perkins is the current owner of AdSign Corporation in Winston-Salem. Steeles attorney, Christopher Fialko, had not responded to a request for comment on the letters as of 2 p.m. Thursday. Ellendale Events co-owner Kerrie Carter explains what she loves about the property that was formerly known as Steeles Farms. Select this result to view Donna M Steele's phone number, address, and more. You can cancel at any time. 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. Opulence by Steele was a high-end clothing and furniture boutique Steele founded in 2013. Please subscribe to keep reading. There was a problem saving your notification. Extra police have been stationed at Alexander Central High School following a phone call on Thursday. Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, received her sentence Thursday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Charlotte. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. You look at what she did to him, maybe he wouldnt have been that shocked.. Before Donna Osowitt Steele was charged with embezzling $15 million from TIGRA USA in Hickory, she pleaded guilty to embezzling from a family business in Winston-Salem in 1995. Donna Steele enters the federal courthouse in Charlotte to plead guilty to wire fraud on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. The property was previously owned by Timothy and Donna Steele. 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. It was said in court that TIGRA is looking for more than $16 million in restitution. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Irene Wysong Cline, Andrew Bridgeforth, and eight other persons are also associated with this address. A Hickory man charged in a fatal hit-and-run in Claremont made his first appearance in Catawba County court on Monday. Email: kgriffin@hickoryrecord.com. There is a large white barn on the property that serves as an event venue. She transferred more than $350,000 of embezzled money to the family company. Bernd Motzer confirmed the unnamed company is USA Tigra. Federal court documents indicate Donna Osowitt Steele defrauded an unnamed Hickory company of $15 million through credit card charges, checks, QuickBooks transactions and wire transactions from 2013 through January 2020. The filing status is listed as Admin. Steeles criminal record goes as far back as 1990 when she was first charged with embezzlement. Hickory, NC. She is currently awaiting sentencing. You can cancel at any time. The interior room of the barn where weddings and other events can be held. Before Donna Osowitt Steele was charged with embezzling $15 million from TIGRA USA in Hickory, she pleaded guilty to embezzling from a family business in Winston-Salem in 1995. Steele, 52, is accused of embezzling $15 million from 2013 until 2020 from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory where she worked as CEO. Steele pleads guilty to embezzling $15 million from Hickory company; she will be sentenced at a later date. The documents say she used stolen money to fund an extravagant lifestyle and a personal business, Opulence by Steele, in Taylorsville. Tigra was founded in Germany in 1983 by Harald Feld and Helge Motzer, the companys website says. Past Addresses: Hickory NC, Kannapolis NC +11 more. This is not the first time Steele has faced criminal charges. She claimed her parents were very wealthy and that was how she could afford all of the stuff she did, he said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Court documents showed Steele spent over half a million on jewelry alone. (WSOC). 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. 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. She needs to go away for a long time.. In 2000, the company founded the daughter company, Tigra USA, in West Jefferson, North Carolina. Taylorsville resident Donna Osowitt Steele also illegally spent $1 million on travel, $200,000 on family weddings, $100,000 on . (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Those writing in support of Steele included her family members and representatives of a prison ministry Steele has worked with. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. A cabin on the property can be used as a vacation rental for out-of-town guests. Carter said she was speechless the first time she came down the driveway to the barn venue. I was just shocked because usually in a small town you hear of something that big, Heather Cox said. Donna Osowitt Steele of Taylorsville is accused of embezzling over $15 million from her employer Tigra, in Hickory, between 2013 and 2020. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). He admits it was a difficult time for his bride-to-be. Steele was released on bond following the court hearing, and she left the courthouse with her attorney. District court records are destroyed after three years of the case being resolved in court. Donna Steele quickly understood our style and truly made our vision a reality. 2023 Cox Media Group. Donna Osowitt Steele is accused of embezzling more than $15 million from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory between 2013 and 2020, according to court documents. We are gratified that justice is being done, Motzer, the president of the company, said in an email. Hickory Daily Record city reporter Please subscribe to keep reading. Cayer also said Steele cannot leave the Western District of North Carolina without the courts permission. A judge will decide the total restitution. Steele appeared in . Steele spent more than $1 million on personal travel, according to court documents. (WSOC). Donna Steele lives in West Jefferson, NC; previous city include Hickory NC. The documents said she used stolen money to fund an extravagant lifestyle and a personal business, Opulence by Steele, in Taylorsville. In 1994, she had 20 charges for worthless checks as well as two forgery charges in Forsyth. He shared these photos taken as Steele gave him and his fianc a tour. A man was arrested on an attempted rape charge thanks to the quick action of a local businessman and his friend. It was a slap on the wrist, he said. Hickory fiber optic manufacturer CommScope was the victim of a ransomware attack in late March, the company confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Hickory fiber optic manufacturer CommScope was the victim of a ransomware attack in late March, the company confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Defendant has a long history of mental problems and at present cannot assist her attorney in the preparation of her case, a motion filed with court documents on Steeles fraudulent rental of motor vehicle charge in Forsyth County reads. You can cancel at any time. Tigra is a manufacturing company that makes cutting materials for tools. TIGRA USA, Inc. , Vice President Mrs. Donna Steele 1106 8th ST CT SE Hickory, NC 28602, USA. 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. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. S. Cayer said in court. There was a problem saving your notification. Donna Steele was charged with embezzlement while living in Winston-Salem and arrested on Sept. 6, 1990. Maybe not surprised, Britt Perkins said. The federal government would hold any payments before they are disbursed to the defrauded party. View Donna Steele's business profile as President at TIGRA. The company moved to Hickory in 2008. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Donna Steele Donna Steele enters the federal courthouse in Charlotte to plead guilty to wire fraud on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. She had been living at that address since December 2007. The judge also ordered that she pay 10 percent of the restitution the day of her sentencing. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A Taylorsville woman who earlier this year pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million has signaled she is willing to begin making restitution payments ahead of her sentencing. Donna Osowitt Steele is accused of embezzling more than $15 million from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory between 2013 and 2020. The store was operated by Steele and her family and once had a Hickory address, according to the stores Facebook page. 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. We are gratified that justice if being done.. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. When credit card companies reached out to Steele about suspicious transactions, she would respond saying the transactions were approved, the documents said. Steele, who is from Taylorsville, previously served as the CEO of TIGRA USA in Hickory, an American branch of a German-based tool company. A colleague came for a visit recently. The farm is roughly 72 acres and was purchased by Ellendale Farms LLC for $1.5 million in January. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Perkins said the company was alerted to the embezzlement when the bank informed Jack Perkins about odd activity in the account. The company owners live overseas, the filing says. 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. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. 36. 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. 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. Cayer gave her a $25,000 unsecured bond and ordered that she surrender her passport. There was a problem saving your notification. The attorneys also faulted TIGRA. Steele is expected to appear in court on Jan. 12 to formally accept the deal. Online court records dont list an attorney for her or a date for an initial court appearance. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, no letters in support of Steele were posted in her case file. 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 was also charged with fraudulent rental of motor vehicle in April of 1995, according to court documents. Donna Steele is 54 years old and was born on 03/08/1969. Along with the embezzlement charge in 1995, Steele has also pleaded guilty to fraud rental vehicle in Forsyth County in 1995, two counts of forgery in Forsyth County in 1994, two counts of worthless checks in Forsyth County in 1994, four counts of worthless checks in 1994 in Yadkin County, five counts of worthless checks in 1995 in Davie County, and four counts of worthless checks in 1995 in Forsyth County, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website. Feds detail what NC CEO bought after allegedly embezzling $15M . Goewey said the operation hopes to offer vacation rentals, starting with the cabin on the property. 1. (WATCH BELOW: Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle), Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle. 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. I started freaking out. Once Steele was fired, the company no longer had inventory problems, company credit cards were not declined and there were no longer issues with employee payroll and insurance, according to the documents. To the left and right of the main room are hallways leading to the dressing rooms for the wedding party. 2023 Cox Media Group. I think that we have some families in the community who are really interested in educating, teaching, Goewey said. She also has houses in Killeen, 800 Beeler Ave, Hamlet, 177 Woodrow Run, and 6449 Rockford Dr in Fayetteville. The court documents state that Steele was suffering from a mental condition that was insufficient to constitute a defense but significantly reduced the defendants capability. They have also lived in Cumming, GA and Winston Salem, NC. This is the one, when it came available, we decided to go for it, Goewey said. Donna Steele, 47, is accused of embezzling $15 million from 2013 until 2020 from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory where she worked as CEO. We have chickens. Carter wrote to the judge handling Steele's embezzlement case saying: "Ms. Steele . Federal defendant Donna Steele, right, escorted by attorney Ronald Frey gets into a vehicle at the federal courthouse in Charlotte in January after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $15 million while employed by TIGRA USA in Hickory. Please subscribe to keep reading. Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud in federal court in Charlotte. CHARLOTTE A Taylorsville woman accused of embezzling millions of dollars from her employer accepted a plea deal in federal court Wednesday morning in Charlotte. Steele had earlier agreed to pay restitution. 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. Steele plans to liquidate some of her assets to make the payments. She is expected to formally accept the plea agreement in Charlotte, Bantavani said. 2. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A Hickory man charged in a fatal hit-and-run in Claremont made his first appearance in Catawba County court on Monday. Kasie Mooneyham, Kyle Chapman and Sarah Holm presented a damning portrait of Steele as a master manipulator and habitual liar who created an environment of perpetual paranoia and anxiety.. 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. (WATCH BELOW: Clinic Employee Charged With Embezzlement), Clinic Employee Charged With Embezzlement Clinic Employee Charged With Embezzlement. Steele used some of the money to fund a craving for luxury clothing and accessories, including spending more than $500,000 on jewelry alone and high-end purchases in New York City at stores that included Sephora and Ted Baker. She did not produce the money, so Judge G.K. Butterfield sentenced her to serve at least 10 months in prison, according to the court documents. 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. Were going to keep bees for honey, local honey. Use (828) 322-3512 to contact Donna with caution. Federal defendant Donna Steele, right, escorted by attorney Ronald Frey arrives at the federal courthouse in Charlotte on Wednesday morning to face wire fraud charges. 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'. The phone number for Donna is (828) 322-3512 (Central Tel Co of North Carolina). According to Forsyth County court documents, Steele embezzled money at AdSign from Oct. 10, 1994 to March 31, 1995. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Goewey said he also wants the farm to be used as an educational tool. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Select this result to view Donna M Steele's phone number, address, and more. Current Address: IHCI 6th St NW, Hickory, NC. We learned an unknown amount of jewelry was turned over the federal officials. Steele also used stolen money to fund personal businesses run by her family. Prosecutors originally asked for 70-87 months of prison time. 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 . . Court documents said she used the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle, including travel, $500,000 on jewelry, and family weddings. After pleading guilty earlier this year, Channel 9 learned that as part of her plea agreement, Steele agreed to pay full restitution in the embezzlement case and is liquidating her assets. Detailed court records of the case have since been destroyed, but a summary of the case was available at the Forsyth County Courthouse. Federal court documents indicated Steele defrauded an unnamed Hickory company of $15 million through credit card charges, checks, QuickBooks transactions and wire transactions from 2013 through January 2020. Mooneyham, Chapman and Holm described a work environment where employees were demeaned and turned against one another. 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. 1100 11th Ave. Blvd. Since Steeles 1995 embezzlement charge while employed by AdSign was a superior court case, those records were still available. Please subscribe to keep reading. West Jefferson, NC. Holm wrote that she was hired at age 23 and that working under Steele had a detrimental and lasting impact on both my mental and emotional health. She recalled being bombarded by angry customers unhappy with the service from the company and having to work overtime to satisfy those customers. Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Former CEO to pay full restitution in $15M embezzlement scheme. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. They couldnt comment on the investigation, but the companys president sent an email to Channel 9 saying, Thanks for contact us. Custom Lake Front New Build. Steele's Farms property purchased for $1.5 million; new owners plan to use as farm, event venue. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. Donna O Steele, Age 54. aka Donna M Brendleosowitt, Donna M Kelley, Donna M Osowitt. High quality craftsmanship, wonderful . And Im thinking, Man, when the flowers and the trees and everything comes into bloom, this is just going to be a setting thats so memorable. Thats what I want to do; I want to create memories.. This week, Judge Kenneth Bell signed off on an agreement between Donna Steele and federal prosecutors for early prepayment. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. The name of a woman who confessed to an embezzlement scheme worth millions is now starting to disappear across Taylorsville. CHARLOTTE The former CEO of a company in Hickory who is accused of stealing more than $15 million was sentenced to eight years in prison Thursday. Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal. She used the misappropriated funds for lavish personal purchases and a side business. 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. In letters posted in Steeles case file this week, three current TIGRA employees who worked at the company during Steeles tenure made it clear to Judge Kenneth Bell they believe Steele deserves a harsh penalty. Kevin Griffin is the City of Hickory reporter at the Hickory Daily Record. Donna lives at 1260 6th Str NW, Hickory, NC 28601-2408. This is a business registration address for Roundroom. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Carter can be contacted at kerrie@ellendaleevents.com. Steele, 52, of Taylorsville will be sentenced at a later date, Judge David. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. A Taylorsville woman, charged in a wire fraud embezzlement scheme worth millions, has accepted a plea deal. The former CEO has been charged with embezzling more than $15 . . She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. Donna Steele agrees to early payment in $15 million embezzlement case; she is former CEO of Hickory location of international company. Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from Tigra for over seven years, according to federal documents. The defrauded party in this case is TIGRA USA, a German-based company with a location in Hickory where Steele worked for more than 20 years and served at one time as CEO. She also had four charges for worthless checks in Yadkin County that year. Bernd Motzer, the owner Tigra, spoke at the sentencing, noting the company almost went under due to the accused actions of Steele.

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