Michael Mayfield, a former environmental manager at Mars Wrigley's factory in Flowery Branch, Georgia, has been sentenced to three years behind bars for devising a fraudulent scheme that siphoned over $1.2 million from his employer. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that Mayfield, 55, involved in malfeasance from as early as December 2016 until 2022, will also face three years of supervised release and must pay restitution in the sum of $1,269,457.56 following his incarceration. His guilty plea on August 19, 2024, culminated in his recent conviction.
In committing the fraud, Mayfield redirected rebate checks meant for Mars Wrigley to his personal company, WWJ Recycling, amassing over half a million dollars. He lavishly spent this ill-gotten wealth on personal indulgences, including hunting excursions and significant donations to his church. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, "Mayfield devised a false invoicing scheme to betray and defraud his employer of more than $1 million," emphasizing the severity of the breach of trust, according to the Department of Justice. This betrayal was further compounded by Mayfield's procurement of items for personal use through false invoicing.
Furthermore, Mayfield's fraudulent activities involved directing a co-conspirator to create and submit sham invoices to Mars Wrigley for items that were never provided or intended for the company. The loot, including football supplies and stadium improvements, apparently aimed to curry favor with local institutions, as the illicit purchases involved Flowery Branch High School and University of Georgia football tickets. The total damage from these fraudulent invoices from ASA Safety Supply and WWJ Recycling combined exceeded $950,000. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia confirms that Mayfield's deceptive conduct prompted Mars to unjustly disburse in excess of $1.2 million.
The FBI's investigation into the case underscores the unwavering effort to hold individuals accountable when they flout the law for personal gain. "Mayfield betrayed the trust his company had in him then used the fraudulently gained money for personal use and to try and build his reputation in the community," said FBI Atlanta's Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke, as noted by the Department of Justice. The prosecution, spearheaded by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber, signals a significant triumph in enforcing corporate integrity and fiduciary responsibility. With this sentencing, the judicial system has strongly reaffirmed its stance against corporate theft and fraud.
