The stories of embezzlement that make the news are often dramatic. They may involve years of egregious misconduct where individuals divert tens of thousands of dollars or more from their employers.
People don’t find it surprising that those who intercept client payments or divert capital from company accounts to their own accounts face criminal prosecution. What surprises many professionals is that prosecution is possible even for much smaller choices.
Frequently, allegations of embezzlement do not relate to a single theft or a conscious decision to misappropriate capital from an employer. Instead, small practices may ultimately lead to financial discrepancies and prosecution.
Embezzlement doesn’t need to be dramatic
When analyzing statements made by professionals, the United States Chamber of Commerce reached a shocking conclusion about theft from employers. Approximately 75% of all professionals have stolen something from an employer at least once in their working lives.
In some cases, embezzlement might involve the removal of small physical assets from a business. Factory workers might take tools home for personal use, while office employees might take computer accessories.
Other times, a professional might receive questionable guidance during their training about what they can request reimbursement for or use company cards to pay for, leading to embezzlement accusations over expense account misuse and inappropriate reimbursement requests. Small choices that may seem inconsequential given the scope of company operations can add up to enough capital or property value to justify embezzlement charges against an employee.
Workers accused of misappropriating money or physical assets may need support as they begin developing a criminal defense strategy. Fighting back against embezzlement charges can help professionals avoid criminal consequences and preserve their ability to work in a well-paid profession.