Crime & Safety
Paoli CFO Stole $1.4M From Company, Police Say
Officials say he spent the money on a meet-and-greet with the Dave Matthews Band, expensive cars and much more.
A 29-year-old Gilbertsville man is facing felony charges after police say he embezzled more than $1.4Million from a Paoli mail/direct order company.
Tredyffrin Police and Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan say Guido la Vella took the money from Taylor Gifts, Inc of Paoli where he worked as the Chief Financial Officer.
According to a joint press release issued by Tredyffrin Police and the Chester County District Attorney, la Vella stole over $1.4 million from the company where he was CFO from 2008 until his abrupt resignation in 2013.
Police say the alleged theft was uncovered when a bank alerted Taylor Gifts that a large amount of money was being transferred out of a company account. The company checked and determined that the money was being moved from the company’s account into the defendant’s account.
Taylor Gifts then retained a financial consulting firm, Citrin Cooperman & Co., to perform a financial audit. Taylor Gifts also contacted law enforcement, triggering an investigation by the Tredyffrin Township Police Department and the Chester County Detectives.
According to police, the audit and investigation determined that the defendant was stealing money from Taylor Gifts mainly in two ways. First, police say laVella was charging personal items to his credit card and then claiming reimbursement from the company as a business expense. Second, police say the defendant would issue duplicate reimbursement checks for certain expenses, pretend to void out one of the checks, but still retain the funds for himself. The defendant’s position as CFO gave him access to the company’s accounts and reimbursement procedures, according to police.
Detectives say laVella used the company’s money to live a lavish lifestyle. He used the stolen funds to purchase high-end automobiles, including a BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Fiat, according to investigators.
Police say laVella spent $48,000 of the company’s money to attend a concert and meet-and-greet with the Dave Matthews Band. The defendant purchased jewelry from Tiffany’s, season tickets to the Eagles, and other personal items at the company’s expense.
LaVella is charged with Felony Theft, Forgery, and related offenses. Tredyffrin Police tell Patch he was arraigned and released on $100,000 unsecured bond and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. That means the case will go directly to Chester County Common Pleas Court in West Chester. A trial date has not been set.
Never one to mince words, District Attorney Hogan issued a statement saying, “The defendant abused his position of trust in the company to line his own pockets. While Americans everywhere were struggling to find jobs and make ends meet, the defendant was living the high life by stealing from his own employer. This was not a crime of need; it was a crime of simple greed.”
Tredyffrin Township Police Superintendent Anthony Giaimo stated, “We see that again due to a great working relationship and partnership, Chester County Law Enforcement Agencies were able to work a complex financial case to a very successful conclusion. I would say that this should send a clear message that Chester County Law Enforcement is tough on crime.”
According to a joint press release from Tredyffrin Police and the Chester County District Attorney's office Taylor Gifts’ CEO Frank Ruthkosky stated, “Taylor Gifts would like to thank the Tredyffrin Township Police Department and the Chester County Detectives for their diligent work in making this arrest. Taylor Gifts remains a strong and growing company. We look forward to seeing the defendant brought to justice.”
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