Ex-Director Of QVC In West Chester Sentenced To Prison For Fraud

WEST CHESTER, PA — The former director of QVC in West Chester will spend time in prison for a million-dollar fraud scheme, authorities said.

James Falkowski, 42, of Buffalo, New York will spend the next 30 months behind bars after pleading guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy, the US Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced.

Falkowski, who was director of QVC at its West Chester headquarters from 2008 to 2013, used his position to embezzle and obtain more than $1 million in cash and goods from the company, officials said.

“This defendant used his position, his access, and his employer to fund a lifestyle that would have otherwise been beyond his reach,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Williams said in a statement. “Today’s sentence should serve as a deterrent to anyone who believes he can steal from his employer and successfully cover his tracks.”

Specifically, some of the luxuries obtained by Falkowski included hotel and resort stays, spa treatments, expensive dinners, luxury clothing, and Botox treatments, officials said.

In order to hide his illegal activities, Falkowski created fake invoices from clients, claiming the luxuries were costs incurred by them.

In addition to his prison sentence, Falkowski also must pay $832,138 in restitution, Judge Michael Baylson ordered.

Patch file photo