Barbara Furlow-Smiles, a former DEI manager at Facebook and Nike, has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced the sentence after she pleaded guilty to embezzling over $5 million to support her luxurious lifestyle.
The Crime Explained
“Furlow-Smiles shamelessly violated her position of trust as a DEI executive at Facebook to steal millions from the company utilizing a scheme involving fraudulent vendors, fake invoices, and cash kickbacks,” stated US Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.
This deceit allowed her to siphon substantial sums from her employers fraudulently.
Lifestyle Funded by Fraud
Using the stolen funds, Furlow-Smiles maintained a high-end lifestyle across multiple states, including California, Georgia, and Oregon.
Her spending included personal expenses far beyond what would be typical for a corporate executive, funded entirely by the embezzled money.
A Web of Deceit at Facebook
From 2017 to 2021, Furlow-Smiles exploited her executive access at Facebook, orchestrating a complex fraud involving friends and family who never actually rendered services.
This setup involved paying close associates who would then return most of the money to her.
Continuous Deception at Nike
“After being terminated from Facebook, she brazenly continued the fraud as a DEI leader at Nike, where she stole another six-figure sum from their diversity program,” Buchanan added.
Her fraudulent activities did not cease even after being caught once, indicating a pattern of continuous unethical behavior.
Range of Bogus Expenses
The so-called vendors in her scheme included personal acquaintances like family, friends, nannies, and even her university tutor.
These individuals were falsely listed as service providers to help mask the illegal flow of money.
Personal Gains from Corporate Funds
Beyond corporate theft, Furlow-Smiles used the fraudulently acquired funds for personal expenses such as paying over $18,000 in preschool tuition and nearly $10,000 to an artist for specialty photos.
These expenses highlight the personal nature of her misuse of company funds.
Unusual Methods of Receiving Kickbacks
According to the attorney’s office, Furlow-Smiles would receive kickbacks in cash, sometimes delivered in person or through mail carriers like Federal Express.
This method of receiving stolen funds showcases the elaborate measures she took to conceal her criminal activities.
Repeating Patterns at Nike
Even after her dismissal from Facebook, her fraudulent behavior continued at Nike, where she misappropriated over $120,000.
This ongoing deception at another major corporation underscores the severity and persistence of her criminal conduct.
Legal Repercussions and Restitution
As part of her sentence, Furlow-Smiles was also ordered to pay restitution, nearly $5 million to Facebook and about $120,000 to Nike.
These amounts reflect the financial damages her actions caused to the companies involved.
US Attorney’s Condemnation
“As a result, she not only threw away a lucrative career, but will serve time behind bars for her excessive greed,” said Buchanan.
His comments reflect the gravity of Furlow-Smiles’ actions and the betrayal of trust she committed against her employers.
A Cautionary Tale for Corporations
As Furlow-Smiles adjusts to life behind bars, the corporate world remains shaken by the audacity and scale of her deceit.
It highlights the need for stringent controls and continuous monitoring of financial activities within large organizations.
