Former Microsoft Exec Pleads Guilty To Stealing Form Company

SEATTLE, WA - A former Microsoft executive pleaded guilty Thursday to wire fraud charges after he tried to steal about $1.5 million from the company, according to federal prosecutors. Jeff Tran, 45, was director of sports marketing and alliances when he committed the crimes.

In his role at Microsoft, Tran was in charge of the company's partnership with the NFL. Two times, he created fake invoices in order to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars, prosecutors say. Tran is also sold about 60 Super Bowl tickets that were given to Microsoft as gifts for employees. He made about $200,000 off the tickets, according to the U.S. Attorney.

"In one instance, Tran accepted payment from a Microsoft co-worker for Super Bowl tickets claiming that he had personally paid for the tickets – in fact Tran was selling the other employee tickets belonging to Microsoft," prosecutors said in a press statement.

Tran has paid back over $1 million in restitution, federal prosecutors say, but wire fraud carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Tran will be sentenced in May.

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