A Long Island businessman was really raking in the dough -- allegedly stealing nearly a half-million dollars from a corporation that owns a string of Dunkin' Donuts, prosecutors said today.
Christopher Cortese, 54, of Rockville Centre, has been charged with grand larceny for allegedly siphoning $429,000 from the company where he was employed as the chief financial officer. He used the money to finance trips, car payments, gift cards and payments to two girlfriends that he hired as "consultants" to the company, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said today.
Cortese, 54,was working for Kainos Partners Holding Company, LLC, a corporation that owns and operates Dunkin Donuts franchises. Prosecutors began investigating Cortese last year after his expenses ran a little high -- including $53,500 for a home office, $60,000 in gift cards, and more than $100,000 in trips, meals, and other expenses.
In addition, Cortese “hired” two girlfriends as consultants, funneling $110,000 to one woman for information technology services that were never performed, the D.A.'s office said in a statement.
“The level of this defendant’s deception, arrogance and sheer greed is shocking,” Rice said.
Cortese was terminated by Kainos in 2009 and he faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
