For four years, a credit supervisor at a Long Island health care products company had access to a pool of money intended for customer refunds. Federal prosecutors say he quietly redirected that access for himself, moving about $1.6 million into an account he controlled and disguising the transfers as legitimate refunds. The scheme eventually came to an end in federal court, where Tony Ream, 35, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for wire fraud. He was also ordered to repay the full $1.6 million and pay a $1,000 fine, states an online report by the United States Attorney’s Office.How the scheme workedAs per the website, Ream joined the Melville-based company in 2019 and eventually became a supervisor in its credit department. The company distributes health care products and services to dental and medical practitioners around the world. According to court filings and statements made during the proceedings, Ream began diverting corporate funds in approximately October 2020. He sought out customer refund accounts, including inactive ones, and funneled money from these accounts into a bank account that he controlled. These transfers were then recorded as customer refunds, making it appear that the money had been properly refunded to customers. The arrangement continued until November 2024. Over that period, prosecutors determined that approximately $1.6 million had been taken from the company.Subordinates were drawn into the processThe scheme did not operate entirely on Ream’s actions alone. Prosecutors said he deceived employees who reported to him into taking steps that ultimately helped facilitate the transfers. Because the transactions were made to look like ordinary customer refunds, the activity could be concealed within the company’s financial processes for an extended period. The case centered on Ream’s access to company accounts and his ability to manipulate refund transactions as part of his position in the credit department, adds the online report.Where the money wentThe stolen funds were used for a range of personal expenses, according to federal prosecutors. Some of the money financed Ream’s wedding, while additional funds went toward luxury international travel. A substantial portion was also used in connection with a restaurant venture in South Carolina that ultimately failed. The spending turned company funds intended for customers into personal financing for a lifestyle and business venture unrelated to Ream’s employment.Prison and restitutionReam pleaded guilty to wire fraud in September before being sentenced by US District Judge Sanket J. Bulsara in federal court in Central Islip. His sentence includes 30 months of imprisonment, followed by an order to pay $1.6 million in restitution to the company. He was also assessed a $1,000 fine. The case was prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, with assistance from the FBI’s New York Field Office.