NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - A Chesapeake woman was sentenced Thursday to 46 months in prison for embezzling more than $1.18 million from a Hampton business.
Susan Gray, 47, worked at Harbor Construction Company as the accounting manager.
From January 2012 until January 2017, Gray is accused of running a scheme to embezzle from Harbor Construction, according to court records.
Joey Caterbone, Vice President of Harbor Construction, said it's been a long year and a half after realizing the money had been stolen.
The company does a variety of electrical system work throughout the region.
WTKR first reported on this story in March.
Records indicate she allegedly spent the money for her personal mortgage, travel, retail purchases, restaurants and the purchase of a car and failed to report $990,932.25 in unauthorized and embezzled funds on her filed income tax returns.
Her plan fell apart in January 2017 when an accounting assistant noticed problems in the payroll. When confronted, Gray admitted to embezzling $160,000 and was asked to resign.
"I actually took the bank records home that night did some research and found where she paid herself three times in one week," said Caterbone.
She said she would paid herself extra and then void it out like it was a mistake. He said at times she would clock in 160 hours per week.
Caterbone said he is frustrated by what happened, but said he learned from the situation.
He encourages other business leaders to report fraudulent behavior to authorities.
He offered some advice: "Always know what is in the bank. Always know where you money is going and what is coming in. It doesn't hurt to ask questions."
Gray was arrested for bank fraud, filing a false tax return and other related charges.
She is scheduled to start serving her sentence on July 30.
