Former VDH employee sentenced to 6 years in prison, ordered to pay out over $6 million after embezzlement scheme
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Chesterfield County man and former employee of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was sentenced to 6 years in prison and ordered to pay over $6 million to the victims of his multi-million dollar embezzlement scheme on Wednesday. In a Nov. 20 press release, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the sentencing of 41-year-old Adam Lamar Harrell, who previously pleaded guilty to charges of mail fraud, federal program theft and tax evasion in July. Harrell was the associate director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) at the time of his crimes, though his tenure with VDH began in 2013. In this role, Harrell's responsibilities included "managing Virginia's emergency response programs, epidemiology research and the information technology systems that Virginia's emergency service providers rely on." From Jan. 2021 through May 2023, through a variety of means -- including the creation of a shell company -- Harrell fraudulently obtained a total of $4,337,395 in OEMS funds. He then used these funds to purchase many luxury items, like real estate, vehicles and firearms. MORE: Former Virginia Department of Health employee pleads guilty to embezzling millions "The Consent Order of Forfeiture imposed not only a monetary judgment for the full proceeds Harrell obtained, but also called for the forfeiture of assets purchased using the proceeds, including real estate, vehicles, approximately 95 assorted firearms, a Rolex Submariner stainless steel wristwatch, a TAG Heuer Connected Steel watch, a Breitling Navitmer chronograph watch, a 14K princess cut white gold diamond stud earrings and proceeds from the sales of certain assets," the DOJ said of Wednesday's sentencing. Harrell also evaded a grand total of $1,880,287.34 in income taxes by filing fraudulent tax returns that did not disclose the accurate earnings of his shell company, according to the DOJ. In addition to his 6-year sentence, Harrell has been ordered to pay $6,254,458.72 to his victims. RELATED: VDH audit finds $33 million in unpaid debts, $4 million in fraudulent charges by OEMS The DOJ said that the government has been able to recover $660,359.74 by selling two real estate properties, a vehicle and other undisclosed assets.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Chesterfield County man and former employee of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was sentenced to 6 years in prison and ordered to pay over $6 million to the victims of his multi-million dollar embezzlement scheme on Wednesday.
In a Nov. 20 press release, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the sentencing of 41-year-old Adam Lamar Harrell, who previously pleaded guilty to charges of mail fraud, federal program theft and tax evasion in July.
Harrell was the associate director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) at the time of his crimes, though his tenure with VDH began in 2013. In this role, Harrell's responsibilities included "managing Virginia's emergency response programs, epidemiology research and the information technology systems that Virginia's emergency service providers rely on."
From Jan. 2021 through May 2023, through a variety of means -- including the creation of a shell company -- Harrell fraudulently obtained a total of $4,337,395 in OEMS funds. He then used these funds to purchase many luxury items, like real estate, vehicles and firearms.
MORE: Former Virginia Department of Health employee pleads guilty to embezzling millions
"The Consent Order of Forfeiture imposed not only a monetary judgment for the full proceeds Harrell obtained, but also called for the forfeiture of assets purchased using the proceeds, including real estate, vehicles, approximately 95 assorted firearms, a Rolex Submariner stainless steel wristwatch, a TAG Heuer Connected Steel watch, a Breitling Navitmer chronograph watch, a 14K princess cut white gold diamond stud earrings and proceeds from the sales of certain assets," the DOJ said of Wednesday's sentencing.
Harrell also evaded a grand total of $1,880,287.34 in income taxes by filing fraudulent tax returns that did not disclose the accurate earnings of his shell company, according to the DOJ.
In addition to his 6-year sentence, Harrell has been ordered to pay $6,254,458.72 to his victims.
RELATED: VDH audit finds $33 million in unpaid debts, $4 million in fraudulent charges by OEMS
The DOJ said that the government has been able to recover $660,359.74 by selling two real estate properties, a vehicle and other undisclosed assets.
