Ala. (WBRC) – A former accounting manager at a Bessemer-based company has agreed to plead guilty to federal wire fraud. Prosecutors said he embezzled nearly $191,000 from his employer
Andrew W. Volkoff worked as the accounting manager for the company from December 2022 to June 2025, according to a plea agreement filed Sept. 21 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
Court records identified the company only as “Business #1.”
Court documents described two methods prosecutors said Volkoff used to access company funds to enrich himself.
Prosecutors said Volkoff issued himself 12 unauthorized payments from the company’s payroll bank account. He labeled them “expense reimbursements,” “miscellaneous reimbursements” or “commissions,” despite not holding a commission-based role, according to records.
The payments, made outside the company’s regular pay cycles, totaled $27,992.15. A $4,323.43 direct deposit made June 5, 2025, is the specific transfer charged in the case.
Prosecutors also said Volkoff used a company American Express card for personal purchases and transfers through PayPal and Venmo without authorization, including a down payment on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML. Those charges, made between January 2023 and June 2025, totaled $162,932.42.
Combined, prosecutors say Volkoff’s actions cost the company $190,924.57.
Volkoff waived his Miranda rights and spoke with investigators in June 2025, according to the plea agreement. He told them financial difficulties led him to issue himself unauthorized payments and use the company credit card for personal expenses.
Volkoff agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.
A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
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