Rochester, N.Y. — A 43-year-old Greece man is facing federal charges after allegedly stealing nearly half a million dollars from his employer through unauthorized credit card transactions.
Robert Tantalo is charged with wire fraud and transportation and sale of stolen goods in interstate commerce, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
Prosecutors said Tantalo used his position as controller for a group of companies to make approximately 248 unauthorized purchases totaling $492,996.96 between February 2025 and April 2026.
The charges allegedly included residential property tax payments, gift cards and electronics from Target and Amazon. Prosecutors said Tantalo then resold some of the electronics on eBay.
Tantalo attempted to conceal the spending by using multiple company bank accounts to pay credit card balances and falsifying financial records, according to prosecutors.
The alleged theft was discovered after Tantalo resigned in March 2026.
Tantalo was released from custody under certain conditions as he awaits his next court appearance, prosecutors said. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.