A Rockville Centre man was sentenced Wednesday to 1 ½ to 4 ½ years in prison for stealing nearly half-a-million dollars from a company that operates more than 50 Dunkin’ Donuts franchises.
Christopher Cortese had pleaded guilty at Nassau County court last year to grand larceny. Judge Philip Grella also sentenced the 57-year-old man to pay $429,555.84 in restitution.
Prosecutors said Cortese stole that amount from Kainos Partners Holding Company, LLC, of which he was chief financial officer starting in 2005.
Cortese had funneled $109,060 to a girlfriend for information technology services that were never performed. He also used company funds to pay for the first car lease payment for her Mercedes Benz and secure her dental benefits, even though she was not an employee. Another girlfriend received $20,000 for services never performed.
Cortese also stole $53,500 to pay for a home office, $60,000 in gift cards as well as more than $100,000 in trips, meals and other expenses.
Kainos began investigating Cortese in January 2009 after discovering the financial irregularities and fired him the following month.
