TAMPA, Fla.—A former accounts manager for a nonprofit affiliated with the University of South Florida’s medical school has pleaded guilty to embezzling almost $13 million, spending most of it on an adult website with some of it coming back to him.
According to court documents, Puglisi spent almost $12 million on an adult website that allows users to subscribe to channels belonging to specific women.
An investigation showed that Puglisi subscribed to a channel belonging to his stepson’s fiancee and they split almost $750,000 in profits, with Puglisi taking 60 percent.
“The investigative team developed a working theory that Puglisi worked either with the principals of the adult content provider, or with the female profiles of the adult content provider in order to financially benefit from funds charged,” prosecutors wrote.
The Times says Puglisi is also accused of making $647,000 in payments to a limited liability company he owned with his wife, plus other expenditures, including $374,000 for personal travel; $191,000 in rent for a family member; and $120,000 on household improvements.
The fraud was detected in November, leading to the firing of Puglisi, his boss, and the University Medical Service Association’s internal auditor.
In a statement, USF said UMSA has “implemented enhanced control structures, including upgrading financial reporting systems, to better protect against criminal acts.” The university has sued Puglisi and has filed an injunction prohibiting him from selling any property purchased with the embezzled funds.
Puglisi attorney Anthony Rickman said in a statement that his client is cooperating and is taking steps to make restitution.
