CINCINNATI (CN) - The Sixth Circuit upheld the convictions of two former district managers of the Combined Insurance Company of America who reaped commission on fictional sales by duping their employer into believing that former agents were still working for the company.
Peter Vasilakos and Debbie Lent had conspirators forge the names of the "agents" on paychecks and divert them to post office boxes that the defendants controlled. They concealed their scheme by depositing CICA checks and large amounts of cash into multiple banks.
They appealed their convictions on a litany of arguments, each of which the court rejected.
Vasilakos was sentenced to 66 months in prison, and Lent to 57 months for fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. See ruling.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.