Internal Controls can help prevent fraud from happening in your organization. (Photo Credit: office.microsoft.com)

A former Marriott International employee was sentenced to one year and one day in jail on Friday for embezzling money from the company, according to a story by Erica W. Morrison posted on Washington Post’s The Crime Scene blog

The employee, Lorraine Wakefield, 51, was able to embezzle $400,000 to $1,000,000 through her position of maintaining corporate credit card expenses, travel expenses, and reimbursements requests for Marriott executives.

This case serves as a good reminder of the measures all businesses should take to protect themselves. Even the most trusted of employees can commit a crime. Remember to have system of checks and balances in place to help prevent fraud from happening in your organization.

If you don’t have a system, or if you feel that the system you have is weak, a simple fraud risk assessment — performed by Kit Powell, Certified Fraud Examiner — will give you a detailed report with recommendations on how to strengthen internal controls to prevent fraudulent activity.

Contact Kit today to schedule an appointment for your fraud risk assessment via phone at 231.924.8035 or email at kitp@hscompanies.com.

Ex-Marriott worker gets 1 year, 1 day in jail for embezzlement