Ex-Olympus Worker Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft in $374,000 Scam

A former Olympus employee pleaded guilty Monday to

Benjamin Wilson, 35, formerly of Jim Thorpe pleaded to one count felony theft by deception before of Judge James Anthony in Lehigh County Court.

Wilson admitted to Anthony that he purchased televisions through Olympus, where he was employed with the Scientific Equipment Group. According to the original criminal complaint,

According to defense attorney Michael P. Gough, Wilson would then intercept the purchase orders and alter them to reflect the purchase of a Dell workstation or a piece of scientific equipment. Some of the televisions were delivered to Wilson's home, but a large quantity were delivered directly to purchasers. 

Two weeks before Olympus began an internal audit of the department, Wilson abruptly quit, relocating with his family to Katy, TX. Wilson has been in Lehigh County Prison since his extradition.

Under the terms of the plea, Anthony will have complete discretion over sentencing, with no mandatory maximum for the prison sentence.

"My client plans on being as cooperative as possible," said Gough outside the Lehigh County courtroom in April.

Wilson's sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 5. Gough and Assistant District Attorney Paul Bernardino said Olympus representatives and Wilson's wife are expected to speak at the sentencing.