Executive Indicted For Embezzling More Than Half A Million Dollars From Westin Hotel

San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Kevin Kelso, a former Director of Finance at the Westin San Diego, was arraigned yesterday in Los Angeles on charges involving his embezzlement of more than $500,000 from the Westin San Diego.

According to the indictment, Kelso served as the Director of Finance at the Westin San Diego between approximately December 2010 and September 2012. During that time, he embezzled funds using several different methods, including: (1) taking advantage of the hotel’s change order process – by which they converted larger denomination currency into smaller bills in order to make change for customers; (2) using an unauthorized corporate American Express card to pay personal expenses; (3) submitting duplicate expense reports to obtain undeserved reimbursement; (4) reversing charges at the Westin San Diego for his friends and acquaintances; and (5) writing Westin checks to improperly pay himself and third parties.

The defendant was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents on August 27, 2013, at another hotel, his current place of employment. He was arraigned in the Central District of California before Magistrate Judge Ralph Zarefsky and pled not guilty. Magistrate Judge Zarefsky set bail at $100,000 and ordered the defendant to appear in the Southern District of California in the courtroom of Magistrate William V. Gallo on September 4, 2012 at 2 p.m.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence that the defendant committed the crime charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the United States meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

DEFENDANT		Criminal Case No. 13CR3017-DMS
Kevin Kelso
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Counts 1-6: Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343 – Wire Fraud Forfeiture: Title 18, United States Code, Sections 981(a)(1)(C) and Title 28, United States Code, Section 246
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
United States Secret Service