SeaWorld Manager Accused of Embezzling $750,000

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily W. Allen (619) 546-9738

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – April 4, 2016

SAN DIEGO – Former SeaWorld San Diego manager Wilfred David Joseph Jobin-Reyes (known as “Sebastian Jobin”) was arraigned today in San Diego on wire fraud charges relating to an elaborate eight-year embezzlement scheme he orchestrated while working as a Show Producer at the marine mammal park. 

Jobin-Reyes is charged with stealing more than $750,000 from SeaWorld by creating fake invoices from a fictitious company, then using his management position to approve their payment.  He diverted the money to bank accounts he secretly controlled, and then withdrew cash or spent the proceeds on restaurants, plane tickets, hotels, and shopping.

As alleged in the complaint and other court documents unsealed today, Jobin-Reyes created a fake merchandise company, “SJ Merchandise,” which he registered with the Secretary of State but didn’t use to conduct any real business.  He adopted the fictitious alias “John Caldwell” to communicate with SeaWorld, in order to conceal his ownership and control of the company.  After uncovering the fraud, SeaWorld investigators discovered that Jobin-Reyes had used his work computer to create more than 100 fake invoices for goods that were never actually delivered to SeaWorld, including “wildlife animal bookmarks,” “sea creature rings,” “purple shiny ornaments,” and “poinsettia in pots.”  Many of the invoices Jobin-Reyes created were for amounts just under the $10,000 threshold that resulted in limited review by his managers.  SeaWorld unwittingly paid Jobin-Reyes more than $750,000 before discovering the fraud in early 2015.

“We are dedicated to protecting our local businesses and institutions from corruption inside and out,” said U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy.  “We will root out and prosecute business insiders who abuse the trust of their employers and the community.”

U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge David Murray said, “Today’s arraignment demonstrates that the U.S. Secret Service is dedicated to protecting our local communities and businesses against these types of fraudulent financial schemes, and will continue to collaborate with its law enforcement partners to target and arrest individuals who use U.S. financial institutions as part of their criminal activity.”

“IRS-Criminal Investigation is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to lend our financial expertise to trace the money, whatever the source, including embezzlement funds,” said IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony J. Orlando. “We will protect American businesses and institutions from insiders who abuse positions of trust to commit this type of financial fraud.”

Jobin-Reyes was arrested in Dallas, Texas on March 12, 2016, and made his initial appearance there.  On March 15, 2016, U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney of the Northern District of Texas found that Jobin-Reyes posed a serious risk of flight, and ordered him detained pending trial.  He was brought to San Diego for his initial appearance in this district today.  Jobin-Reyes’s next court appearance is for a detention hearing on Thursday, April 7 at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernard G. Skomal.

DEFENDANT:

Wilfred David Joseph Jobin-Reyes    Age: 47           San Diego, CA

CHARGES

Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343

Maximum Penalties: 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, $100 special assessment, restitution.

AGENCIES

United States Secret Service

Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.