An ex-executive of Facebook has pleaded guilty to stealing over $4 million from the company. According to CNN, the Atlanta woman, Barbara Furlow-Smiles, is expected to be sentenced next year.
RELATED: Former Indiana Postal Worker Who Pleaded Guilty To Stealing $1.7M In Mailed Checks Is Sentenced To Over 3 Years In Prison
How The Atlanta Woman Allegedly Defrauded Facebook
According to the outlet, Furlow-Smiles, 38, worked as a lead strategist and global head of employee resource groups and diversity engagement at Facebook, Inc.
CNN notes that the company is now known as Meta.
Furlow-Smiles was reportedly employed by Facebook, Inc. between January 2017 to September 2021. However, according to a statement from Ryan K. Buchanan, a U.S. Attorney for the northern district of Georgia, Furlow-Smiles “abused” her position.
“This defendant abused a position of trust as a global diversity executive for Facebook to defraud the company of millions of dollars, ignoring the insidious consequences of undermining the importance of her DEI mission,” Buchanon explained in a statement via CNN.
The outlet reports that Furlow-Smiles utilized her “Facebook expense account” to fund a “luxurious” lifestyle in Georgia and California.
The woman allegedly linked her company credit cards to PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App. Then, she used those cards to pay for unperformed services.
According to CNN, family, friends, and associates of Furlow-Smiles would receive the payments and then return some of the money to her “as a kickback,” or illegal compensation.
“She even involved relatives, friends, and other associates in her crimes, all to fund a lavish lifestyle through fraud rather than hard and honest work,” Buchanan’s statement added, per CNN.
Furthermore, Furlow-Smiles would also employ her relatives and friends as vendors for the company and submit “inflated” invoices to them.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that “in reality,” no “goods” or services” were “provided to Facebook.” However, when the vendors submitted their payments, Furlow Smiles would allegedly keep portions for herself.
NEW: A former Facebook diversity manager has pleaded guilty to a $4 million kickback scheme involving friends and family. Barbara Furlow-Smiles, who led Facebook’s DEI programs, used company credit cards to pay them for services they never delivered. pic.twitter.com/ik9kltcndF
— WhoIsThisMan (@WIsthisman) December 13, 2023
To note, Barbara Furlow-Smiles has previously appeared on outlets such as ‘The Breakfast Club‘ to speak about her business practices and ventures.
More Details Regarding Her Charges & Sentencing
According to the outlet, Furlow-Smiles pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on Monday, December 11. Additionally, CNN reports that the Atlanta woman is expected to be sentenced on March 19, 2024.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution adds that the company has declined to comment on the ongoing case.
“We are cooperating with law enforcement on the case regarding this former program manager, and we will continue to do so,” a Meta spokesperson reportedly told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via email.
An Ex-Employee Defrauded Amazon For Millions Earlier This Year
Barbara Furlow-Smile’s case mirrors that of 33-year-old Kayricka Wortham. As The Shade Room previously reported, in July, Wortham was sentenced to 16 years in prison after defrauding the company of nearly $10 million.
Worthan was reportedly one of seven people who used the company’s funds to purchase million-dollar homes and lavish cars.
Kayricka Wortham, former Smyrna mgr, plus 6 others, former manager at Amazon in Atlanta has been sentenced for stealing ovee $9.4 million, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Ex-op mgr at Smyrna warehouse committed more fraud while out on bond
https://t.co/v34hOHyY7j pic.twitter.com/0k0oIM1ZuH— HollyQuinn ♿Justice4All #EqualRights #Unity🌊 (@HollyQuinn30248) July 6, 2023
