This case is based on the real-life Koss Corporation embezzlement that occurred from 2004 to 2010. Koss is a Milwaukee-based small public corporation that primarily manufactures stereo headphones. The culprit in the Koss embezzlement was Sujata “Sue” Sachdeva, the Vice President of Finance (upon whom Valerie Rugen is based). Ms. Sachdeva embezzled an estimated $34 million from the company through unauthorized wire transfers and cashier's checks that she used to pay off credit cards (primarily American Express) and other personal debts. These purchases were for expensive designer clothes, improvements to her home, and lavish trips for her family. While there was no legitimate excuse for her behavior, her attorney presented a defense that claimed she suffered from alcoholism and mental health issues, specifically a shopping addiction.
To orchestrate her fraud, Sachdeva authorized wire transfers for fraudulent personal purposes, and concealed the fraud by masking these transfers as legitimate business expenses....
