Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 61-year old Bernadette Szymanski of Cheektowaga has pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree in front of Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case.

Szymanski worked for FPPF Chemical Co., Inc., located at 117 West Tupper Street in Buffalo from 1991 – 2015 as its controller.  Beginning in January of 2002 and continuing until her termination on November 15, 2015, Szymanski stole $491,893 by committing payroll fraud and making unauthorized personal purchases on the Company’s American Express credit card.

The theft came to light when Szymanski became embroiled in a dispute with the owner about compensation for bereavement leave, prompting the owner to look into whether Szymanski compensated herself beyond the company’s policy.

Szymanski faces 5-15 years in prison when she is sentenced on August 8, 2016 at 2 p.m. by Judge Case.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of DA Flaherty’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau prosecuted the case.