BOSTON (AP) - A multimillion-dollar lawsuit has been filed against a former television news anchor for allegedly embezzling millions.
The former chief financial officer of Massachusetts-based Alden Shoe Company, Richard Hajjar, allegedly stole nearly $27 million, the Boston Globe reported.
Hajjar allegedly funneled $15 million into former WCVB-TV anchor Bianca de la Garza’s beauty business. Alden attorneys estimated that Garza recieved $2.7 million in 2019 alone.
Garza now refuses to return the money or the lavish gifts purchased by Hajjar, according to the lawsuit.
Attorneys for Alden filed a letter in November requesting Garza to return all the misappropriated funds.
According to court filings, an attorney for Garza agreed to return the funds, however, payment has not been made.
As of Monday attorneys for Hajjar and Garza did not respond to a request to comment.
Alden’s attorneys said Hajjar has shown he’s willing to cooperate and has “never denied” stealing millions, according to the suit.
Hajjar has only returned about $3 million in assets, comprised of $214,000 in cash, approximately $20,000 in jewelry, $195,000 through the sale of gold coins, and $175,000 from the sale of vehicles.
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