Attorney General Becerra Announces Charges Against Adriana Pinnisi in $1 Million Corporate Credit Card Embezzlement Case

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced charges against Adriana Pinnisi for grand theft and identity theft in a case of embezzlement from her employer. Pinnisi pled not guilty when she was arraigned on August 28.

Pinnisi was arrested on August 17 following an investigation by the California Department of Justice’s eCrime Unit, which found that she allegedly used an American Express corporate credit card from her employer, Signal Products, to make unauthorized purchases for her personal use. Over a 12 month periood – December 3, 2015 to November 12, 2016 – Pinnisi allegedly stole more than $1,015,350.88.

“Computer-related fraud threatens both businesses and consumers,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Unauthorized purchasing with a corporate credit card is stealing and is something no business owner should have to worry about.”

Pinnisi abused her position as Controller at Signal Products, where she would monitor, approve, and record business-related expenses. After discovering that Pinnisi had stolen from the company, Signal Products also discovered that the records and receipts of her expenses were missing.

The California Department of Justice filed a felony complaint in the LA Superior Court charging the defendant with the following three counts:

• Theft by False Pretenses;
• Grand Theft;
• Identity Theft, along with Special Allegations for Excessive Loss.

An arrest warrant was signed on May 11, 2017, and bail was set at $245,000. Pinnisi was residing in New York at the time, where she was seeking employment as a controller. The LAPD coordinated with the NYPD for her arrest.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint contains charges that are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of the complaint is attached to the electronic version of this release at oag.ca.gov.