NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Prosecutors say a New Orleans man embezzled more than $400,000 from his employer.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans said in a Wednesday statement that 61-year-old Wayne Soniat was charged with wire fraud and making false statements on federal income tax returns. Soniat was employed as a warehouse manager for a food production company headquartered in Metairie.
Soniat is accused of embezzling the money through roughly 200 wire transfers without the company knowing. He allegedly signed and submitted paperwork indicating temporarily contracted employees performed work when they had not. Soniat is accused of using the money to pay for personal expenses.
If convicted, Soniat faces a maximum of 23 years in prison with 3 years of supervision after release and a $250,000 fine. It is unclear if he has an attorney.
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