Former Facebook diversity chief Barbara Furlow-Smiles pleaded guilty to stealing $4 million from the company. Furlow-Smiles was supposed to be increasing diversity through programs and initiatives as an executive for the company, which she may have been doing, but she also pocketed millions of dollars for herself. The scam was pretty simple. She recruited friends, family members, hairstylists, former interns, and more to accept payments from Facebook for fraudulent goods and services.
Since Furlow-Smiles was in a position where she could approve invoices, she abused that power to sign off on fake expenses. These fake invoices were sent to Facebook and the company paid out millions to the people she recruited. When her recruits got the money, Furlow-Smiles received kickbacks in cash which were hidden in items like t-shirts when delivered to her. She also paid employees of side companies through PayPal and Venmo accounts linked to her Facebook credit cards. The Department of Justice is behind the investigation, so she will most likely go to Federal Prison once sentenced on March 19, 2024.
SOURCES:
Former Facebook diversity manager pleads guilty to stealing $4 million from company | The Post Millennial | thepostmillennial.com
Ex-Facebook diversity chief pleads guilty to stealing $4m to fund lifestyle
Former Facebook diversity leader pleads guilty to fraud
Former Facebook diversity head pleads guilty to stealing millions in kickback scheme, DOJ says
Ex-Facebook diversity manager pleads guilty to bilking $4M from company in kickback scheme: feds
