Falcon Drilling CEO Conspired To Embezzle $9M From Company

PITTSBURGH – An Indiana, Pa., resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and forge checks, as well as charges of mail fraud and tax fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Larry Dean Winckler, 53, pleaded guilty to seven counts before United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that between 2007 and 2012, Winckler, the Chief Operating Officer at Falcon Drilling Company in Indiana, Pa., conspired to embezzle nearly $9,020,687 from his employer by creating forged checks and fake company invoices. The government represented to the court that Winckler conspired to defraud Falcon through embezzlement of company funds by using forged checks, fake invoices to fictitious or real vendors, and false statements to auditors.

Judge McVerry scheduled sentencing for May 30, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 74 years in prison, a fine of $1,300,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Winckler.