A Collector’s Downfall: Iowa Man Sentenced for Embezzling $140,000 for Pokémon Cards and Gaming Gear
Mitch William Gross, a 34-year-old Iowa resident, has been sentenced to four months in federal prison for wire fraud after he misused his employer’s credit cards to fund a lavish spending spree on Pokémon cards and other gaming items. The scheme, which lasted over a year, saw Gross defraud his employer, Ruan Transportation Corp., of more than $140,000.
Key Takeaways
- Mitch William Gross sentenced to four months in federal prison.
- Defrauded employer Ruan Transportation Corp. of over $140,000.
- Purchased Pokémon cards, gaming items, and prepaid gift cards.
- Submitted falsified receipts and mischaracterized charges.
- Ordered to pay $146,590.15 in restitution.
- Will serve three years of supervised release post-imprisonment.
The Scheme Unraveled
Between September 2021 and October 2022, Gross exploited his access to business-related credit cards for personal gain. He made extensive purchases of prepaid gift cards, sought after Pokémon cards, and various other gaming merchandise. To conceal his illicit activities, Gross meticulously submitted falsified receipts and deliberately mischaracterized the fraudulent charges on his expense reports, attempting to pass them off as legitimate business expenses.
Legal Consequences and Restitution
The investigation, a joint effort by the FBI and the Des Moines Police Department, brought Gross’s fraudulent activities to light. A federal judge handed down the sentence, which includes four months of incarceration. In addition to his prison term, Gross has been ordered to pay a substantial sum of $146,590.15 in restitution to Ruan Transportation Corp. to cover the full extent of his misappropriated funds. Upon his release from prison, Gross will be subject to three years of supervised release, during which his activities will be closely monitored.
