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<p>An ex-executive of Facebook has pleaded guilty to stealing over $4 million from the company. According to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/14/tech/former-facebook-employee-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-4-million/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>, the Atlanta woman, Barbara Furlow-Smiles, is expected to be sentenced next year.</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">RELATED: <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/former-indiana-postal-worker-guilty-stealing-1-7m-mailed-checks-sentenced/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Former Indiana Postal Worker Who Pleaded Guilty To Stealing $1.7M In Mailed Checks Is Sentenced To Over 3 Years In Prison</a></h5>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">How The Atlanta Woman Allegedly Defrauded Facebook</h3>
<p>According to the outlet, Furlow-Smiles, 38, worked as a lead strategist and global head of employee resource groups and diversity engagement at Facebook, Inc.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/14/tech/former-facebook-employee-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-4-million/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a> notes that the company is now known as Meta.</p>
<p>Furlow-Smiles was reportedly employed by Facebook, Inc. between January 2017 to September 2021. However, according to a statement from Ryan K. Buchanan, a U.S. Attorney for the northern district of Georgia, Furlow-Smiles &#8220;abused&#8221; her position.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;This defendant abused a position of trust as a global diversity executive for Facebook to defraud the company of millions of dollars, ignoring the insidious consequences of undermining the importance of her DEI mission,&#8221; Buchanon explained in a statement via <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/14/tech/former-facebook-employee-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-4-million/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>.</p></blockquote>
<p>The outlet reports that Furlow-Smiles utilized her &#8220;Facebook expense account&#8221; to fund a &#8220;luxurious&#8221; lifestyle in Georgia and California.</p>
<p>The woman allegedly linked her company credit cards to PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App. Then, she used those cards to pay for unperformed services.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/14/tech/former-facebook-employee-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-4-million/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>, family, friends, and associates of Furlow-Smiles would receive the payments and then return some of the money to her &#8220;as a kickback,&#8221; or illegal compensation.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;She even involved relatives, friends, and other associates in her crimes, all to fund a lavish lifestyle through fraud rather than hard and honest work,&#8221; Buchanan&#8217;s statement added, per <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/14/tech/former-facebook-employee-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-4-million/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>.</p></blockquote>
<p>Furthermore, Furlow-Smiles would also employ her relatives and friends as vendors for the company and submit &#8220;inflated&#8221; invoices to them.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/business/atlanta-based-former-facebook-dei-manager-pleads-guilty-to-fraud/PSBWVIQL3JFTDDT6XEKB2PLOCY/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a> reports that &#8220;in reality,&#8221; no &#8220;goods&#8221; or services&#8221; were &#8220;provided to Facebook.&#8221; However, when the vendors submitted their payments, Furlow Smiles would allegedly keep portions for herself.</p>
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<p>To note, Barbara Furlow-Smiles has previously appeared on outlets such as &#8216;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZrZ_SVHNQA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Breakfast Club</a>&#8216; to speak about her business practices and ventures.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">More Details Regarding Her Charges &; Sentencing</h3>
<p>According to the outlet, Furlow-Smiles pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on Monday, December 11. Additionally, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/14/tech/former-facebook-employee-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-4-million/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a> reports that the Atlanta woman is expected to be sentenced on March 19, 2024.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/business/atlanta-based-former-facebook-dei-manager-pleads-guilty-to-fraud/PSBWVIQL3JFTDDT6XEKB2PLOCY/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a> adds that the company has declined to comment on the ongoing case.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;We are cooperating with law enforcement on the case regarding this former program manager, and we will continue to do so,&#8221; a Meta spokesperson reportedly told <a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/business/atlanta-based-former-facebook-dei-manager-pleads-guilty-to-fraud/PSBWVIQL3JFTDDT6XEKB2PLOCY/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a> via email.</p></blockquote>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">An Ex-Employee Defrauded Amazon For Millions Earlier This Year</h3>
<p>Barbara Furlow-Smile&#8217;s case mirrors that of 33-year-old Kayricka Wortham. As <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/former-employee-sentenced-stealing-10-million-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Shade Room</a> previously reported, in July, Wortham was sentenced to 16 years in prison after defrauding the company of nearly $10 million.</p>
<p>Worthan was reportedly one of seven people who used the company&#8217;s funds to purchase million-dollar homes and lavish cars.</p>
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<h5 style="text-align: center;">RELATED: <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/former-employee-sentenced-stealing-10-million-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Former Employee Sentenced After Stealing Nearly $10 Million From Amazon</a></h5>
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