Gambling grandma jailed for embezzling more than $1.8 million
Granny Coleen Muirhead, 55, a compulsive gambler, was this week sentenced to three years in prison. In 2014, Muirhead embezzled £1.5 million ($1.83 million) from his employer, a metal recycling company in Scotland, according to the BBC.
Muirhead had no criminal record; however, it wasn't long after she found a new job at Panda Rosa Metals. Muirhead devised an elaborate plan to carry out this plan and misappropriate company funds.
When the scrap metal arrives at one of the company's two properties, it is weighed to determine its value and the customer is given a receipt indicating that value. The customer will then use this data to create an invoice and send it to the company to initiate the payment transfer.
She created a fake customer named "G Anderson" and then created fake invoices under that name. When they were delivered to Panda Rosa, a representative paid without question.
The discrepancies were not discovered until company executives formally audited Panda Rosa's accounting.
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As company officials investigated the inner workings, a paper trail returned to Muirhead. When the company asked her to explain, she admitted her guilt.
Panda Rosa later filed a report and police searched Muirhead's home. They found several receipts showing large purchases, such as two RVs, motorcycles and more. They also found bank receipts showing Muirhead and Anderson were using the same account.
Muirhead also allegedly used the stolen money to buy expensive trips, cars and a lavish wedding for his son.
Advocate for compassionate defense
The case went to trial last month after charges were filed. Her lawyers tried to mount a "compassionate" defense but were unable to get Muirhead out of jail.
The lawyer argued that his client had a "traumatic" childhood that ultimately led to her developing a gambling habit and alcohol abuse. That didn't entirely convince the judge, who accused Muirhead of being "unconcerned" about the impact the crimes had on his employer.
She faces up to five years in prison.
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Source: www.casino.org
