Two former MillerCoors employees accused of embezzling millions



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6 News obtained a statement sent to MillerCoors employees Thursday, April 3rd revealing two former employees have embezzled several million dollars over a number of years.

The statement reads in full: Due to increased speculation, I want to provide an update on former MillerCoors chain sales employees David Colletti and Paul Edwards. Based on an extensive internal and external investigation, MillerCoors believes Colletti embezzled several million dollars from the company over several years and that Edwards was involved to a lesser extent in the scheme. MillerCoors has referred Colletti and Edwards to federal authorities for criminal prosecution.

 We are disappointed by this betrayal of pride and integrity by two longtime employees of the company. MillerCoors is seeking to recover the stolen funds from a combination of insurance and restitution in the criminal process. Both the internal and external investigations are ongoing and we encourage employees to come forward with any additional information on this scheme or other conduct that may violate the Code of Business Conduct by contacting Dave Osswald directly.

It also appears that the embezzlement scheme involved the participation of certain former vendors who assisted in the theft of company funds. MillerCoors will cooperate with federal authorities to assure that all those who were complicit in this crime are identified and prosecuted. This crime exploited some gaps in our vendor approval process that have since been addressed. MillerCoors Code of Business Conduct annually reinforces our expectation that employees will do what is right. Violations of the MillerCoors Code of Business Conduct, including stealing, will not be tolerated and will be dealt with appropriately.

A source at MillerCoors tells FOX6 the investigation both internally and externally into the embezzlement began late in 2013. No federal charges have been filed at this time.

The company says the crime exploited some holes in its system which the believe are now fixed.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for more details on this developing story.