South Dakota man sent to prison for stealing more than $1 million from auto dealership

[TexasTowelie]

RAPID CITY, S.D. -- A 44-year-old Rapid City man has been sent to federal prison for more than 14 years for stealing more than $1 million from a used car dealership in the western South Dakota city.

Brent Bednarz was sentenced Monday, July 9, after his convictions on federal bank fraud and tax evasion charges and was also ordered to pay $1.49 million in restitution.

The conviction stems from Bednarz managing the former Rapid Motors used car dealership and stealing the money from the owner. Bednarz was also convicted of failing to pay federal income taxes on his earnings and on the money he stole.

This case was investigated by the criminal investigation unit of the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

http://www.wctrib.com/news/crime-and-courts/4472518-sd-man-sent-prison-stealing-more-1-million-auto-dealership
(brief article)

[John1956PA]

1. Stories of embezzlement by bookkeepers at auto dealerships are not uncommon.

Dealerships have large cash flows. Long-term skimming of even a fraction of a percentage of the sales receipts can really add up. The dealerships' owners are busy with other aspects of the business, and they place their trust in their bookkeepers. It is a bitter disappointment to the owners when that trust is betrayed. In some of those situations, the owner does not pursue charges, since publicity of the crime might tend to cast unfavorable light on the owner's business judgment.