Former Employee Pleads Guilty To Stealing Company Property And Selling It On Ebay

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - Laura Arlene Barnett, 53, of Allegan, Michigan, pleaded guilty to the interstate transportation of stolen property, U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today. The sentencing before Chief U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker is scheduled for November 30, 2020. At sentencing, Barnett will face up to 10 years’ mprisonment. As partof her plea agreement, Barnett agreed to pay restitution of $413,903.38 to repay her employer for the parts and supplies that she stole.

          Barnett was an employee of Perrigo, a global consumer self-care company that manufactures over-the-counter and branded products. Barnett worked as a Maintenance Repair and Operations Coordinator in Perrigo’s Allegan maintenance department. She was responsible for ordering and processing parts used in the manufacturing facilities. Barnett used her position to gain access to equipment, parts, and supplies that the company used to operate packing machinery. She stole more than 470 items of equipment, parts, and supplies worth approximately $413,903.38 and sold the items on eBay.

          This case was investigated by the FBI and the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Mekaru. Perrigo has fully cooperated throughout the process.

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