Former Grant Thornton man pleads guilty
A FORMER partner at Grant Thornton pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing nearly $4m (£2.56m) in client payments to the global accounting firm.
Craig Haber, who prosecutors said diverted money to his own bank accounts between 2004 and 2012, pleaded guilty to a charge of mail fraud in federal court in New York.
“I knew my conduct was wrong,” Haber said. “I apologise sincerely to the firm for my actions.”
Haber, 59, had been a partner at Grant Thornton from 1993 to 2012 in the firm’s New York offices.
As part of his plea, he has agreed to not appeal any order requiring up to $4.34m in restitution. He also agreed to forfeit $3.97m, as well as all rights to his downtown Manhattan apartment and $1.8m in a brokerage account. Haber was arrested in February in connection with the theft, in which Haber stole $3.97m in payments intended for Grant Thornton, a court document said.
Tim Blair, a spokesman for the firm, said it was “pleased that the authorities have resolved this matter swiftly”.