A Woodbridge man who allegedly embezzled nearly $1 million from his family’s Orange-based food company entered a guilty plea Thursday to one count of tax evasion.
Matthew V. Blackwell, 40, entered the plea in a proceeding before U.S. District Court Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam in New Haven.
Blackwell is scheduled to be sentenced March 2, and he is free on a $50,000 bond. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and a fine of up to $100,000. He has agreed to pay $285,361 in back taxes, as well as interest and penalties, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
At the time of the theft, Blackwell was working as vice president of operations at his family’s food company, Aurora Products Inc. The business, which is located on Edison Road in Orange, is known for its all-natural and organic dried fruits, nuts, granola and trail mixes, found in grocery stores around the country.
According to court documents, the company was founded by Blackwell’s mother. The Secretary of the State’s office lists its principal as Stephanie Blackwell, and the business’ website lists her as founder and president.
Federal prosecutors indicated that between 2012 and 2016, Matthew Blackwell embezzled $927,143 from the company by creating false purchase orders and invoices that he presented to the company controller, who had no knowledge of their fraudulent nature.
The company issued payment checks, which Matthew Blackwell deposited in a business checking account he opened and controlled, according to the government. He then used the money to pay for his personal expenses, documents show.
Through his guilty plea, Matthew Blackwell admitted he willfully filed federal income tax returns that omitted the embezzled income for the 2012 through 2016 tax years, resulting in a tax loss of $285,361 to the Internal Revenue Service.
His defense attorney, Andrew B. Bowman of Westport, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
