FROM: Al Weger, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
Scott Tsui, Deputy District Attorney
Major Fraud Unit
(408) 792-2804 For Release on October 24, 2002 FORMER EMPLOYEE OF PALM INC. AND 3COM COPORATION PLEADS GUILTY TO GRAND THEFT On October 23, 2002, in the Santa Clara County Superior Court, Adrianna Rose Tozzi, 35, a former executive assistant of Palm Inc. and 3Com Corporation, pled guilty to grand theft from both companies. Tozzi stole company funds in an approximate amount of $200,000.00. Tozzi, who initially worked for 3Com and later for Palm Inc., stole from both companies by submitting fraudulent expense reports. She purchased expensive personal items, and submitted the receipts for reimbursements from the companies. Additionally, Tozzi obtained receipts for purchases, which were already paid for by the company, and then submitted duplicates for reimbursement to herself. Tozzi’s activities first came to light when Palm Inc. noticed that Tozzi submitted a receipt for a “Spa Package” for an amount over $7000. When confronted, Tozzi claimed that the expenditure was for a hotel spa treatment, implying that it was a company travel expense. Investigation by Palm, however, revealed the expense was for a portable Jacuzzi, which Tozzi purchased at the Alameda County Fair for her home. Subsequent audits showed that Tozzi had been stealing from not only Palm Inc., but also from 3Com, for a period of over two years. Charges for grand theft were filed against Tozzi in April of 2002. She was soon arrested and arraigned, and her bail set at $350,000. Tozzi will be sentenced on January 10, 2003. She faces up to 7 years and 8 month in state prison and will be ordered to pay full restitution to Palm Inc and 3Com Corporation. ###
Scott Tsui, Deputy District Attorney
Major Fraud Unit
(408) 792-2804 For Release on October 24, 2002 FORMER EMPLOYEE OF PALM INC. AND 3COM COPORATION PLEADS GUILTY TO GRAND THEFT On October 23, 2002, in the Santa Clara County Superior Court, Adrianna Rose Tozzi, 35, a former executive assistant of Palm Inc. and 3Com Corporation, pled guilty to grand theft from both companies. Tozzi stole company funds in an approximate amount of $200,000.00. Tozzi, who initially worked for 3Com and later for Palm Inc., stole from both companies by submitting fraudulent expense reports. She purchased expensive personal items, and submitted the receipts for reimbursements from the companies. Additionally, Tozzi obtained receipts for purchases, which were already paid for by the company, and then submitted duplicates for reimbursement to herself. Tozzi’s activities first came to light when Palm Inc. noticed that Tozzi submitted a receipt for a “Spa Package” for an amount over $7000. When confronted, Tozzi claimed that the expenditure was for a hotel spa treatment, implying that it was a company travel expense. Investigation by Palm, however, revealed the expense was for a portable Jacuzzi, which Tozzi purchased at the Alameda County Fair for her home. Subsequent audits showed that Tozzi had been stealing from not only Palm Inc., but also from 3Com, for a period of over two years. Charges for grand theft were filed against Tozzi in April of 2002. She was soon arrested and arraigned, and her bail set at $350,000. Tozzi will be sentenced on January 10, 2003. She faces up to 7 years and 8 month in state prison and will be ordered to pay full restitution to Palm Inc and 3Com Corporation. ###