Former Coke Employee Embezzled $450,000: Charges

ATLANTA, GA — A former employee of Atlanta-based Coca-Cola is being charged with wire fraud and embezzlement after allegations she used the company's money for personal reasons, according to a release from the Department of Justice.

Anne Gronek-Gibbs, 41, of Atlanta, "used her employer’s money to pay for trips, jewelry and expensive hand-bags," U.S. Attorney Byung Pak said in the release.

According to Pak, Gronek-Gibbs was a sales director who ordered luxury goods, tickets and gift cards, and used first-class travel and luxury hotels on Coca-Cola's dollar. Pak accuses her of modifying electronic quotes, purchase orders and invoices and submitting them to Coca-Cola for payment.

According to the charges, Gronek-Gibbs embezzled over $450,000.

"Employees who are trusted with access to corporate funds are not entitled to use them to enrich themselves," Pak said.