By Jonathan Stamp
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A former chief executive of the North American operator of Juan Valdez coffee has been sentenced to three to six years in New York state after stealing more than $900,000 from the company.
Rosita Joseph, 52, the former chief operating officer of NFCGC Investments Inc, was sentenced Wednesday by Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Laura Ward after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree grand larceny.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that for more than five years, Joseph “blatantly defrauded her employer” to inflate her salary, pay for expensive vacations, including to the Bahamas and Barbados, and buy gold and diamonds. jewelry and Gucci accessories on Amazon. com.
The Brooklyn resident was convicted after reaching a plea deal. Her lawyer Liam Malanaphy said in an email: “By expressing deep remorse, Ms. Joseph took full responsibility for her actions.”
NFCGC manages US retail sales of Juan Valdez coffee and several Juan Valdez cafes. Founded by the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation, parent company Procafecol SA represents the interests of coffee growers and operates Juan Valdez cafes.
Prosecutors said NFCGC fired Joseph after she denied numerous document requests for a routine financial audit. Joseph had received up to 15 years in prison for the grand larceny charge.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Alistair Bell)
