Federal prosecutors in New York say a former banana importer has been convicted of embezzling about $750,000 from his workers' retirement accounts.
Thomas Hoey was convicted Friday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. The 48-year-old Long Island man was already serving a federal prison sentence in an unrelated drug case.
Prosecutors alleged Hoey siphoned money from the profit-sharing accounts of his workers at the Long Island Banana Co. to fund a lavish lifestyle. They say he spent the cash on drugs, meals, vacations and trips to gentlemen's clubs.
His attorney told Newsday he was disappointed with the verdict and vowed to appeal. He faces up to 45 years in prison.
Hoey was convicted in April 2015 of distributing cocaine at a sex party where a woman fatally overdosed.
Former Banana Importer Convicted of Embezzling Money to Fund Lavish Lifestyle
Prosecutors say he spent the cash on drugs, meals, vacations and trips to gentlemen's clubs
Copyright AP - Associated Press
