A former Amazon supervisor in Georgia has been sentenced for stealing over $9.4 million from the web retail big, in response to federal authorities.
Kayricka Wortham, 33, was amongst seven folks charged in a scheme that netted hundreds of thousands of {dollars} between 2020 and 2022, in response to the U.S. Department of Justice.
RELATED: WATCH: 5-Year-Old Girl Secretly Orders $5K Worth Of Items From Mom’s Amazon Account
Defendants Lived Lavishly While Scamming Amazon, Purchasing Luxury Cars, Real Estate
At the time, Wortham labored as an operations supervisor at Amazon’s warehouse in Smyrna.
The DOJ claims Wortham and one other worker, Brittany Hudson, lived lavishly through the scheme. Additionally, they allegedly handled themselves to high-end jewellery, WSB-TV reported in December.
The pair had been reportedly “in a relationship” and in addition bought a million-dollar dwelling in Smyrna, a 2019 Lamborghini Urus, a 2021 Dodge Durango, a 2022 Tesla Model X, and a 2018 Porsche Panamera with the stolen funds.
Wortham and Demetrius Hines, 36, each former Amazon workers, allegedly obtained the cash after submitting fraudulent invoices for distributors that didn’t exist, U.S. Attorney Ryan Okay. Buchanan mentioned in December.
The two pled responsible to their involvement within the scheme final 12 months, in response to WSB-TV. Meanwhile, the others had been charged final month and pleaded responsible on June 27.
“A federal grand jury indicted Brittany Hudson, 37, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jamar L. James, Sr., 47, of Calera, Alabama, for conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering, and Hudson for forging the signature of a federal judge and seal of the Court,” the DOJ mentioned.
Kayricka Wortham, former Smyrna mgr, plus 6 others, former supervisor at Amazon in Atlanta has been sentenced for stealing ovee $9.4 million, in response to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Ex-op mgr at Smyrna warehouse dedicated extra fraud whereas out on bond
pic.twitter.com/0k0oIM1ZuH— John & Holly Quinn (@JohnNHolly30248) July 6, 2023
Wortham Described As “Ring Leader” Of Scheme To Defraud Amazon
The DOJ continued: “Darrel J. Burgo, 32, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was charged in the same indictment with conspiracy, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. These charges are pending.”
Authorities described Wortham, often known as “Kayricka Dupree” and “Kayricka Young,” because the “ring leader” of the scheme, in response to the Atlanta Register.
The Department of Justice additionally claims Wortham and Hudson continued their felony enterprise only a month after bonding out for the crimes. Authorities had been alerted to their continued fraud scheme after they tried to open a hookah lounge in Atlanta.
Wortham and Hudson reportedly lied to the franchising firm when requested concerning the Amazon fraud fees. The two had allegedly claimed the costs had been dismissed to shut the deal, per WSB-TV.
Wortham Ordered To Repay Money Back To Amazon, Sentenced To 16 Years In Prison
The DOJ additionally accuses them of forging official courtroom seals and signatures to persuade the franchising firm that the Amazon fees had been dropped.
Wortham will now must repay the stolen cash to Amazon. She’s already forfeited roughly $2.7 million of the stolen funds, the United States Attorney’s Office studies. Authorities have additionally confiscated the luxurious vehicles she bought.
She’s been indicted for forging a federal choose’s signature and seal of the courtroom in connection to the fraudulent hookah bar deal, as nicely. Those fees stay pending as of Thursday (Jul. 6).
The outlet studies that Wortham has been sentenced to serve 16 years in federal jail. She will then be topic to a few years of supervised launch.
Seven folks, together with Wortham, have been charged for his or her roles within the “staggering” fraud scheme, in response to the DOJ.
Her co-defendants have but to be sentenced.
