ALEXANDRIA, Va. — An investigation has revealed that for over eight years a former general manager of Hank's Oyster Bar in Old Town Alexandria created five fake employees in order to put them on payroll and pick up the checks herself.
Claude Ibrahim, 53, of Manassas pleaded guilty to a 17-count indictment on Wednesday alleging nine counts of felony embezzlement and eight counts of misdemeanor embezzlement in connection with the embezzlement of over $600,000 from the restaurant.
Investigators say while serving as the restaurant’s general manager, Ibrahim created biographical and deposit information for five fake employees and submitted biweekly timesheets for them while receiving their pay. The first false employee account was set up in June 2014 and the embezzlement scheme continued until Ibrahim was fired in November 2022. When confronted about the fake employees on payroll, Ibrahim admitted her actions, according to court officials.
Over the course of the scheme, authorities say Ibrahim embezzled approximately $680,000.
This embezzlement case was investigated by Detective Ford Rhee of the Alexandria Police Department. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Harsh Voruganti prosecuted the matter on the behalf of the Commonwealth.
A sentencing hearing for Ibrahim will be held on March 21, 2024.
The maximum penalty for felony embezzlement is 20 years in prison for each count. The maximum penalty for misdemeanor embezzlement is twelve months in jail on each count.
Ibrahim was released on bond and is awaiting sentencing.
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