Heading: Ex-Diversity Manager Sentenced for Stealing $5M from Facebook and Nike
Former diversity program manager for Facebook and Nike, Barbara Furlow-Smiles, has been sentenced to five years in prison for stealing over $5 million from the companies to fund her lavish lifestyle. Furlow-Smiles set up fake business deals, invoices, and events, including a Juneteenth celebration, to embezzle the funds.
According to the Justice Department, Furlow-Smiles shamelessly abused her position of trust at Facebook to carry out the fraudulent scheme, which involved fake vendors, invoices, and cash kickbacks. She continued the fraud at Nike after being terminated from Facebook, stealing another six-figure sum from their diversity program.
Furlow-Smiles pleaded guilty to the wire fraud scheme, which saw her take more than $4.9 million from Facebook and additional funds from Nike. She used the stolen money to maintain a luxury lifestyle in California, Georgia, and Oregon.
The scheme involved paying associates, including friends, relatives, former interns, and a hair stylist, for goods and services that were never provided to the companies. These individuals would then funnel kickbacks back to Furlow-Smiles, who also submitted fake expense reports to cover her tracks.
Furlow-Smiles was sentenced to five years and three months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. She has been ordered to pay back the stolen funds to both Facebook and Nike. Neither company has responded to requests for comment on the matter.
The disgraced DEI officer’s actions not only resulted in financial losses for the companies but also caused anguish among employees who worked closely with her. Furlow-Smiles’ lack of accountability and remorse throughout the scheme was described as incredibly disappointing by Nike.
The case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of greed and dishonesty in the corporate world. Furlow-Smiles’ actions have not only cost her a lucrative career but also landed her behind bars for her fraudulent activities.
