Woodbridge Man Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $900K: Feds

WOODBRIDGE, CT — A Woodbridge resident has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for embezzling $927,143 from his employer and tax evasion, according to federal prosecutors. Matthew Blackwell, 41, will also serve two years of supervised release.

The court also ordered Blackwell to pay a $10,000 fine and perform 120 hours of community service.

According to prosecutors, Blackwell was the vice president of operations for a family-owned food company in Orange. Between 2012 and 2016, Blackwell embezzled $927,143 from the company by creating false purchase orders and invoices that he presented to the company controller, who had no knowledge of their fraudulent nature.

The company issued payment checks that Blackwell deposited in a business checking account that he had opened and controlled. Blackwell then transferred these funds to his personal bank accounts, according to prosecutors.

Blackwell filed federal income tax returns that omitted the embezzled income for the 2012 through 2016 tax years, resulting in a tax loss of $285,361 to the IRS. Blackwell has paid his back taxes, but he still owes interest and penalties.

Blackwell pleaded guilty in December to one count of tax evasion.

Blackwell, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison May 5.