Former executive gets 13 years for embezzlement

A former Irvine architecture firm executive was sentenced to 13 years in prison and ordered to pay millions in fines and restitution for stealing $1.9 million from his former company.

Salvatory Josef Fulwider, 38, of Yorba Linda, was ordered to pay $3.3 million restitution and $3.9 million for embezzling from McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners Inc. between 2003 and 2009.

He was convicted of two felony counts of grand theft, nine counts of forgery, 37 counts of falsifying records with sentencing enhancements for stealing more than $1.3 million.

Fulwider used much of the money to support his own lifestyle and pay off his credit cards. He used a corporate credit card and received reimbursements for it, but spent the money on himself.

He also falsified his boss’ personal financial records to make it appear that the money he was stealing from his boss’ account were actually purchases the victim was making.

—Joseph Serna