SANTA ANA, Calif.
Steven Anthony Cowles, 45, of Santa Clarita pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of wire fraud, federal prosecutors said.
From August 2015 to July 2024, Cowles worked as an electrical shop supervisor for The Claremont Colleges Services, where he was responsible for maintaining electrical systems and ordering parts and supplies for the colleges.
Prosecutors said that from June 2018 through July 2024, Cowles embezzled approximately $1,000,571 from his employer through at least 1,343 unauthorized transactions. The charges allege he used employer-issued purchasing cards for personal expenses unrelated to college operations.
To conceal the scheme, Cowles provided false invoices and other documents that purported to show legitimate purchases of electrical equipment, authorities said. He also linked the purchasing cards to his personal PayPal account and transferred funds to third parties.
U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong scheduled sentencing for April 22. Cowles faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The charging document and plea agreement were filed in U.S. District Court.