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Court papers say Sanjay Damodar, 30, was enlisted by the others and received $20,000 for approving payments to a sham company from the high-end fashion retailer, The New York Post reported.
“I knew checks were being cut to AIM Financial but I didn’t know it was stolen money,” Damodar reportedly told investigators.
Kelly Rogel, 32, a former account manager with Bendel, called 39-year-old Brandon Detvo, a former financial planning manager there, the “mastermind” of the scheme.
“Brandon Detvo and I were both unhappy, bitter and angry towards Henri Bendel,” Rogel, of Cedar Grove, reportedly l told investigators. “We all agreed to do it and we were just seeing the money.”
“Brandon Detvo suggested we issue checks and take money,” Damodar (photo above, center) is quoted in court papers as saying. “I told him ‘Let’s do it,’ but I was joking. That conversation happened after Brandon Detvo’s employee review and he was not happy about his review.”
All three surrendered to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office yesterday and pleaded not guilty at their arraignment.
“As New York Fashion Week draws to a close, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to our city, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of conducting proper due diligence in every industry,” District Attorney Cy Vance said. READ MORE….
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