An Illinois man accepted a job as a systems analyst with a new employer, but he changed his mind and declined the job before he ever started working there. However, the applicant, Anthony Armatys, was already in the new employer's payroll system and started receiving paychecks. How do you think he responded?
Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest says Armatys received
paychecks from October 2002 to February 2007 before New Jersey-based
Avaya, a communications company, realized it was paying a person who
had never actually worked for the company.
Forrest also alleged that Armatys had withdrawn funds from an employee retirement savings account into which Avaya had made contributions. Forrest said investigators listened to a tape-recorded conversation between Armatys and the company that administered the retirement savings account. In the conversation, Armatys claimed to be an employee of Avaya, Forrest says.
In all, Armatys received $470,995.53 in pay and retirement savings, Forrest said.
HR Strange but True reports that, before going to trial, Armatys agreed to plead guilty. Forrest says that under the plea agreement, the state will recommend Armatys be sentenced to a state prison term of 6 years and be required to pay restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for January 8, 2010.
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