By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Newsunplug KenyaNewsunplug KenyaNewsunplug Kenya
  • News
    • Metro
    • Politics
    • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Spotify
Reading: Former Facebook diversity leader pleads guilty to stealing more than $4million from company in kickback scheme
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Newsunplug KenyaNewsunplug Kenya
Font ResizerAa
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Spotify
  • News
    • Metro
    • Politics
    • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Spotify
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Newsunplug Kenya > Blog > News > Former Facebook diversity leader pleads guilty to stealing more than $4million from company in kickback scheme
News

Former Facebook diversity leader pleads guilty to stealing more than $4million from company in kickback scheme

new5nuke
Last updated: December 14, 2023 2:19 pm
new5nuke 1 year ago
Share
SHARE

A former global diversity strategist at Facebook has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after stealing more than $4 million from the social media giant “to fund a lavish lifestyle” in California and Georgia, federal prosecutors said.

Barbara Furlow-Smiles, who led various Facebook Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs from 2017 through mid-2021, stole the money “through an elaborate scheme involving fraudulent vendors, fictitious charges, and cash kickbacks,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta said in a statement.

Furlow-Smiles pled guilty in Atlanta federal court on Monday, Dec. 11.

Among other things, prosecutors said Furlow-Smiles, 38, caused Facebook to pay people for goods and services that were never actually provided to the company and then had those individuals pay her kickbacks.

“These individuals included friends, relatives, former interns from a prior job, nannies and babysitters, a hair stylist, and her university tutor,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

In some instances, Furlow-Smiles had Facebook pay people who did not give her kickbacks, in one case directing $10,000 to an artist for speciality portraits, and more than $18,000 to a preschool for tuition, prosecutors said.

READ MORE  Adani Energies makes a Ksh130 billion bid for important energy transmission projects.

As part of the scheme, Furlow-Smiles linked PayPal, Venmo and Cash App accounts to her Facebook credit cards and used those accounts to pay friends, relatives and other associates for goods and services purportedly provided to Facebook.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan, in a statement, said Furlow-Smiles had abused her position of trust at Facebook to “defraud the company of millions of dollars, ignoring the insidious consequences of undermining the importance of her DEI mission.”

Meta provided assistance and cooperation with the criminal investigation, prosecutors said.

Furlow-Smiles, who lives in Atlanta, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 19, 2024. She is free on a $5,000 bond.

A spokesperson for Meta, in a statement to CNBC, said, “We are cooperating with law enforcement on the case regarding this former program manager, and we will continue to do so.”

You Might Also Like

Donald Trump’s sentencing in hush money case to be delayed after US Supreme Court’s immunity decision

Netanyahu in hospital as Israeli judicial crisis flares

Medical interns spend hours in freezing nights at the Ministry of Health, demand placement.

Kenya demands action to compel Sudan factions to dialogue

Gachagua Says Govt Determined To Lower Cost Of Power

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article Understanding Kenya’s national honors that Ruto gave Awinja, Njugush
Next Article Ex-Chelsea Manager Graham Potter lined up to replace embattled Ten Hag at Manchester United
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

about us

We influence 20 million users and is the number one business and technology news network on the planet.

Recent Posts

  • Paris Saint-Germain beats Real Madrid in the race to sign the precious gem!
  • Sakaja defends clampdown on property owners over unpaid land rates
  • Man Utd captain Fernandes rejects Al-Hilal move
  • GG Kariuki’s widow Gladys Wairimu dies at 80
  • Rose Njeri released on Ksh.100,000 bond

Recent Comments

No comments to show.
Newsunplug KenyaNewsunplug Kenya
© Newsunplug Kenya. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?