WESTPORT, CT — A 31-year-old Westport man pleaded guilty last week to a fraud offense stemming from his theft of more than $4.5 million from his unnamed former employer, announced United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery and FBI Special Agent Robert Fuller.
Dylan Meissner pleaded guilty Thursday to wire fraud, which carries a possible maximum prison term of 20 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on Oct. 11.
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According to court documents and statements, Meissner was employed at a cryptocurrency research firm as Vice President of Finance, and as such, he had access to the firm’s cryptocurrency wallets and bank accounts. In approximately January 2022, Meissner obtained a 50 Ethereum (approximately $170,000) loan from his employer, stating that he would use the funds in an attempt to avoid a substantial loss in certain cryptocurrency investments he had made using his personal funds.
“Then, from February 2022 until his termination in November 2022, in continued attempts to counteract significant personal trading losses, Meissner fraudulently diverted his employer’s funds to his own use and covered up his conduct through false entries in the firm’s books and records,” Roberts and Fuller said in a statement.
Through the scheme during those months, Meissner stole approximately $4,461,828 from his employer, according to authorities.
In addition to a possible prison term, Meissner also faces a restitution order of $4,633,424.99, which includes the money he stole from his employer and the loan he failed to repay.
Meissner is currently free on a bond of $100,000, pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.
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