Woman pleads guilty to embezzling from Huntersville company
A former accounting manager at a Huntersville manufacturer pleaded guilty on Friday to embezzling nearly $400,000 from the company.
Prosecutors said Amy Hilty, who previously lived in Stanley but now resides in Dalton, Ohio, used the money to buy a new home and a BMW vehicle.
Hilty, 38, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion during a federal court appearance in Charlotte.
Authorities said Hilty previously worked for Poly-Tech Industrial Inc.
From 2008 to 2012, court records say, Hilty used her access to the Poly-Tech’s accounting system to divert company funds to bank accounts she controlled. She covered the fraud by falsely recording the stolen funds in company files as supplies, owner withdrawals and travel expenses, records show.
Hilty also failed to file federal income tax returns between 2008 and 2011, records show, and failed to report the diverted income and her salary from the company, totaling $520,976, according to court records.
Hilty is free on bail until her sentencing. The wire fraud charge carries a maximum 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The tax fraud charge carries a maximum five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
As part of her plea agreement, Hilty has agreed to pay restitution. The amount will be determined by a judge at sentencing.
Staff Researcher Maria David contributed.
Joe Marusak: 704-358-5067, @jmarusak
This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 2:33 PM with the headline "Woman pleads guilty to embezzling from Huntersville company."