A former chief financial officer for Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, a maker of premium ice cream, will be getting a taste of life behind bars.
Stuart Wiles, who served as CFO from May 2000 to May 2004, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and two years of supervised release after embezzling nearly $300,000 from his former employer, according to Reuters. He will also make restitution to the company.
The wire service, citing a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Vermont, explained that Wiles issued company checks for charitable contributions, unspecified legal settlements and other nonexistent expenses.
The former finance chief reportedly used the money to pay for vacations, car repairs, clothing, electronics, gifts, entertainment expenses, and an addition to his home.
According to Vermont’s Rutland Herald, the embezzlement was uncovered by an internal audit at Ben & Jerry’s. Wiles eventually pleaded guilty to a federal charge of wire fraud, the newspaper added.
Ben & Jerry’s was acquired by Unilever in 2000.