Today Matthew Welty was sentenced to prison, in two cases prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit. In the first case, Welty was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 8 years in prison for one count of Grand Theft of Over $100,000, a First-Degree Felony. The prison sentence will be followed by 20 years of probation. He must also pay $466,419.25 in restitution.
The defendant had been a 15-year employee of a cheese importer in Bonita Springs. The evidence shows he was entering transactions into the computer as business expenses but then making checks out to himself. He did this with 110 checks which reached the amount of the above ordered restitution.
During the time the first case was being investigated, the defendant was hired by a local veterinary group through a temporary agency. During employment with that company, he wrote three checks to himself, forging the veterinarian’s name, totaling $11,515. Both investigations were handled by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
In the second case he was also adjudicated guilty for one count of Criminal Use of Personal Identification, a Second-Degree Felony. He was sentenced to 8 years in prison followed by 7 years of
probation. The prison sentences are to run concurrently. He was also ordered to pay $11,515 in restitution.
In both cases he was required to submit yearly tax returns when he is on probation.
Assistant State Attorney James Miller, State Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Chief, prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office