A Wyandotte man has entered a guilty plea on multiple felony charges for the embezzlement of over $166,000 from his employer, establishing his accountability in a significant case of workplace theft, as presented in an announcement by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel; the case highlights a breach of trust and financial manipulation that has consequences that extend beyond the immediate legal repercussions. Jason Garza, 45, admitted to his criminal actions in Wayne County's 3rd Circuit Court, facing a composite of serious charges that could lead to extensive time behind bars. In detail, Garza's guilty plea encompasses one count of Embezzlement More Than $100,000, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years, one count of Embezzlement More Than $50,000 but Less Than $100,000, meriting a 15-year felony sentence, and one count of Embezzlement More Than $1,000 but Less Than $20,000 with a 5-year penalty, as per information from the Michigan Attorney General's Office.
The scheme perpetrated by Garza took place in 2021 and 2022, during which time he manipulated Montway Auto Transport's transaction system by offering customers under-the-table discounts in exchange for direct payments through peer-to-peer mobile apps, a strategy that allowed him to divert these financial streams to his personal accounts while simultaneously depriving the company and its aligned interests of vital revenue; this activity additionally skirted his income tax obligations, culminating in four counts of Failure to File Income Taxes—a 5-year felony each. The plea agreement stipulates that Garza is committed to compensating the Michigan Department of Treasury, Montway LLC, and Travelers Insurance, with the restitution summing to more than half a million dollars.
"When employees steal from their employers, they jeopardize not only the victimized businesses but also the livelihoods of their coworkers," Attorney General Nessel remarked, per the Michigan Attorney General's Office. The Attorney General also expressed her gratitude toward the FBI for their investigative work and the prosecutorial staff for their dedication to safeguarding the integrity of Michigan's commerce and labor. Garza's sentencing is set to take place on March 13th, an event that will conclude, under the gavel of Judge Tracy Green in the 3rd Circuit Court, the legal chapter of an ordeal marked by deceit and financial exploitation.
