Marc Anthony has had over $2.5 million stolen from his personal bank accounts by an employee at a New York accounting firm.
Kyle Tessiero allegedly used Anthony’s American Express for purchases over the last eight years and then paid off the credit card with the 49-year-old singer’s bank account funds.
The illegal activity allegedly started in 2009 and carried on through this year, reports TMZ, and Anthony was completely unaware of it until recently.
Victim: Marc Anthony has had $2.5 million stolen from his personal bank accounts by an employee at a New York accounting firm
Tessiero started at the firm in 2007 and apparently had instant access to Anthony’s bank accounts and credit cards.
He would make purchases on the Latin star’s credit card funding a luxurious lifestyle in New York including nights out at various entertainment venues.
In the last four years alone the employee went really wild racking up $2.5 million in charges, all funded by Anthony’s pocket.
The financial malpractice was discovered after an internal review was conducted at the firm and an audit exposed the irregularities on the accounts.
Fraud: Kyle Tessiero allegedly used Anthony’s American Express for purchases over the last eight years and then paid off the credit card with the 49-year-old singer’s bank account funds
Scam: Tessiero started at the firm in 2007 and apparently had instant access to Anthony’s bank accounts and credit cards. He has been charged with grand larceny and could face 25 years in jail
Tessiero was caught in August and charged with first-degree grand larceny, reports TMZ.
If convicted he faces up to 25 years in prison.
The accounting firm apparently also reps stars like Justin Timberlake, Drake and Pharrell.
It seems Anthony, whose ex-wife is Jennifer Lopez, may have taken a hands-off approach to managing his money and let the firm handle it, explaining why he didn’t notice the extra spending.
It comes at a time when the father-of-six is putting a lot of money and effort into the relief effort for Puerto Rico after it was devastated by Hurricane Maria
Anthony, whose parents are from the Caribbean island, founded relief alliance called Somos Una Voz, a partnership with Lopez and they are holding a benefit concert on Saturday to raise funds for those affected.
They should check their accounts! The accounting firm apparently also reps stars like Justin Timberlake, Drake and Pharrell