Former Controller for Marco Contractors Inc. Pleads Guilty in $8.7M Embezzlement Scheme

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania
14 November 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Sewickley, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud and filing false income tax returns, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Sue O’Neill, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that O’Neill, while employed as the Controller for Marco Contractors, Inc., embezzled approximately $8.7 million. The Court was further advised that she and another individual started a company called Bulldog Contractors LLC and used approximately $6.7 million of the stolen money to fund the business. The other $2 million in embezzled funds went into her personal bank account. O’Neill and her business partner used the stolen funds for business expenses and for personal use. Among other things, the Court was advised that they purchased two 1969 Ford Shelby GT500s for approximately $160,000 each and spent approximately $163,000 renovating a 1969 Ford Mustang. Lastly, the Court was advised that O’Neill filed false income tax returns because she did not declare the stolen funds as taxable income.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for March 26, 2020. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud conviction and three years in prison for the false tax return conviction. The law also provides for a fine of $500,000.00. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court permitted O’Neill to remain out of prison on a $25,000 bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, the Northern Regional Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service and the United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of O’Neill.