A former Clyde’s Restaurant Group executive pleaded guilty to mail fraud in a scheme in which the resident of Vienna, Va., embezzled nearly $650,000 from the restaurant, U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen announced Wednesday.
Nancy Preston, 55, diverted money from Clyde’s from 2001 to 2011 to pay for her personal credit card, buy personal goods, and pay for other expenses totaling $647,547.
To hide her theft, Preston asked vendors to alter invoices, fabricated emails and altered credit card expenses and statements, according to court statements.
Preston was the corporate controller for the Washington-area restaurant group, overseeing their budget and spending accounts, from 1992 to September 2011.
She agreed to pay $389,069 to Clydes, in addition to forfeiting $258,000 worth of stock awards and options to the restaurant.
Preston faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, as well as additional fines and penalties.
