Worcester News

Man busted for stealing from Worcester thrift store, feds says

  • Posted by Worcester News December 17, 2023 - Filed in News - 9,829 views

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    BOSTON — Anthony Prizio, a 48-year-old resident of Blackstone, was recently arrested on charges of wire fraud in connection with an alleged scheme to embezzle funds from a national chain of second-hand retail stores where he once served as the manager of the Worcester location.

    Prizio is facing 6 counts of wire fraud.

    According to the indictment, spanning from January 2019 to July 2021, Prizio held the position of store manager at the Worcester branch of the national thrift store chain. In this role, he had access to various crucial systems, including the employee timekeeping system, the human resources panel, and un-activated payroll paycards designated for certain employees' pay.

    The indictment alleges that Prizio exploited his managerial position to orchestrate a fraudulent scheme aimed at deceiving the company. He purportedly falsified working hours for employees, including those who were no longer employed at the store, with the intention of redirecting some or all of the wages for personal expenditures. These expenditures reportedly included covering his home's utility expenses, vehicle registration fees, and veterinary services.

    To further conceal the fraud, Prizio allegedly engaged in deceptive tactics. These included misrepresenting the productivity of the Worcester store, making it appear as though the store processed more items than it actually did. Additionally, he was accused of entering false paid sick and bereavement hours for employees to fraudulently secure payments for fictitious work hours without negatively impacting the store's productivity metrics.

    The charge of wire fraud carries severe penalties, including the potential for up to 20 years in prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release, and fines of up to $250,000 or twice the gross loss incurred as a result of the fraudulent activities.

    It's important to note that the details contained in the indictment represent allegations, and Prizio is considered innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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