BUFFALO — A 61-year-old Cheektowaga woman pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny today in front of Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case.

According to Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr., Bernadette Szymanski had stolen $491,893 from her employer, FPPF Chemical Co., Inc., in Buffalo, between 2002 and 2015, while she worked as the company’s controller by committing payroll fraud and making unauthorized personal purchases on the Company’s American Express credit card.

The theft came to light when Szymanski became embroiled in a dispute with the owner about compensation for bereavement leave, prompting the owner to look into whether Szymanski compensated herself beyond the company’s policy.

She faces 5-15 years in prison when she is sentenced on Aug. 8 by Judge Case.



All WNY is made possible thanks to coffee and sleep deprivation.
We appreciate your readership. We like money, too.