More News

A Clarksville man pleaded guilty to mail fraud and money laundering for his role in a scheme to steal about $1.9 million from his former employer, a local country club, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

Akinyeme Bamisaiye, aka Yemi Olufemi Bamisaiye, pleaded guilty to the charges in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. Bamisaiye worked as an accountant at Argyle Country Club in Layhill and took funds from the club to buy a home and vehicle, according to the release.

According to his plea agreement, Bamisaiye was the controller and co-defendant Sajjad Nazar Mahar was the general manager. Mahar, 49, of Kearneysville, W.Va, pleaded guilty May 15 in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt to stealing more than $1.8 million from the club.

Bamisaiye, 40, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for mail fraud. He also faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the value of the criminally-derived property for money laundering. 

Bamisaiye's duties included serving as the club's accountant and financial manager, according to the release. Beginning in 2001, Bamisaiye and Mahar created fake employees, kept former employees on the payroll and placed individuals on the payroll. Bamisaiye and Mahar caused electronic payments to be made from the country club to the fake employees.  Bamisaiye then deposited much of the payroll checks into his personal accounts. 

"There are no allegations that I've seen that anyone else had a part in the scheme," said Vickie LeDuc, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office of Maryland.

As part of his plea, Bamisaiye agreed to forfeit up to $1.9 million, the amount the government contends was stolen.  Bamisaiye also agreed to forfeit his vehicle. LeDuc said both Bamisaiye and Mahar are being held responsible for the $1.9 million total.

Sentencing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 19 in U.S. District Court.