TOPEKA, KAN. – An architect who worked for Payless
ShoeSource was sentenced today to 21 months in federal prison and ordered to
pay more than $425,000 in restitution for defrauding the company, U.S. Attorney
Stephen McAllister said.
Manuel Francisco Ruiz-Lacayo, 38, Lawrence, Kan., pleaded
guilty to one count of wire fraud. In his plea, he admitted the crime occurred
while he worked for Payless as a project manager for store planning. His work
included designing exteriors and interior floor plans for new stores in Central
and South America. He coordinated with Ordonez Architecture and Construction in
Bogata, Columbia, and Christian Heins Finkenstaedt in Barranquilla, Columbia,
on the projects.
Without the knowledge of his employer, Ruiz-Lacayo told the
contractors that 3D renderings of storefronts were required for all projects.
He told them to use a firm he said was located in Costa Rica. In fact, the
address he gave them was his mother’s and no renderings were produced.
Ruiz-Lacayo submitted invoices from the fictitious firm to Payless for payment.
McAllister commended the Topeka Police Department, the FBI
and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.
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