Former Office Manager Sentenced for Stealing More Than $719,000 From Her Employer

Monday, August 5, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 59-year-old Camille Pirrone-Hess of Depew was sentenced thisafternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison.

Between July 8, 2016 and August 7, 2023, the defendant, while working as an office manager for a business in the City of Buffalo, stole $719,122.41 from her employer. Over the course of seven years, the defendant made more than 2,000 unauthorized transactions with the company credit card.

The defendant fraudulently used the company credit card to fund her lifestyle. The purchases included vacations, event tickets, donations to charitable causes, her child's college tuition, jewelry, electronics, furniture, utility bills and other personal expenses. The theft was uncovered by her former employer following the sale of the business and a review of past credit card statements.

Pirrone-Hess pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class "C" felony), the highest sustainable charge, on May 13, 2024. As a condition of the plea, she signed a Confession of Judgment to pay full restitution to the victims in the amount of $719,122.41. To date, she has not paid back any of the money.

"Today, my office supported the victims and asked the court to impose the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for this outrageous crime. This defendant stole over $700,000 from these victims, causing them lifechanging financial harm, and ultimately the sale of their business. Unfortunately, the court imposed a sentence close to the minimum term of incarceration," said Acting Erie County DA Mike Keane.

Acting DA Keane commends Confidential Criminal Investigator Natalie Perez for her work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.