CT Man Admits To Defrauding Providence Business Out Of $300K

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Connecticut man is facing charges after he was accused of embezzling more than $300,000 of business money for his own use. Grant Devillez, 38, pleaded guilty to ten counts of wire fraud.

According to Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha's office, Devillez defrauded Providence's Décor Craft, Inc. of about $302,000 from February 2016 until July 2018. During that time, he said he took money out of the business's bank accounts and moved it to his own. He also made deposits in another person's account in Massachusetts and used some to repay personal debt.

Devillez said that he was given access to the business accounts to make payments to vendors. Instead, he said he would make a partial payment or no payment at all to the vendors, keeping the money for himself. He would then change the financial records to show that the full payment was made to the vendor.

Wire fraud charges carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, as well as a fine up to the amount stolen. Devillez is scheduled to be sentenced April 29.