Embezzler Who Couldn't Stop Gets 10 Years

SANTA ANA, Calif. (CN) — An embezzler who stole $1.4 million from his employer while awaiting sentencing for embezzling $2.6 million from another — and $70,000 from a third company in between — will spend 10 years in federal prison.     Peter Suk Lee, 49, of Orange, pleaded guilty to bank fraud this year and was sentenced late Monday by U.S. District Judge David Carter. As controller of Contempo, Lee embezzled $1.4 million from August 2014 through September 2015.     Contempo is a family owned, Los Angeles-based importer of fashion accessories. Lee admitted he forged signatures on 92 checks, sent $393,400 to his personal TD Ameritrade account, and more money to casinos for his gambling, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.     While he was busy destroying the company created by a family who had immigrated from South Korea, Lee was awaiting sentencing for embezzling $2.65 million from Glovis America, an Irvine-based automotive logistics company where he was accounting manager. He pleaded guilty in April 2015 to three counts of wire fraud and embezzlement at Glovis.     In between those gigs, Lee admitted, he stole $70,000 from Orion Technology, in Anaheim.     “Mr. Lee’s crimes caused significant damage to three different employers, one of which was forced to lay off 20 employees and is struggling to keep its doors open,” U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker said in a statement.     Judge Carter ordered Lee to pay $2.9 million in restitution, and sent him to prison for 121 months.