May 06--A former MillerCoors marketing executive and seven others were indicted on charges of embezzling at least $7 million from the Chicago-based beer company, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
The 20-count indictment did not identify MillerCoors, referring to it as a victim company with offices in Chicago and Milwaukee. The former vice president, David Colletti, 58, of Chicago, who was charged in the indictment, was accused by MillerCoors in a civil lawsuit last year of defrauding the company.
Colletti worked for the company from 1982 to 2013, overseeing the marketing and sale of beer to restaurants and bars, according to the indictment filed in Chicago federal court. He allegedly conspired with several others to falsely bill MillerCoors for fictitious promotional events and services and shared the payouts.
The defendants used proceeds to invest in a hotel and an arena football team, according to the indictment.
The other defendants are Roderick Groetzinger, 61, of North Carolina; Andrew Vallozzi, 53, of Florida; James Rittenberg, 72, of Chicago; Scott Darst, 68, of Las Vegas; Thomas Longhi, 57, of Florida; Francis Buonauro Jr., 72, of Florida; and Maryann Rozenberg, 57, of Wisconsin.
Colletti's attorney, Gene Murphy, said he and his client are working with MillerCoors and the federal government to resolve the criminal and civil cases.
The other defendants could not immediately be reached for comment. Rozenberg worked for MillerCoors from 1995 to 2008, according to the indictment.
The defendants will be arraigned at a later date, federal prosecutors said. A fraud conviction carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.
A company spokesman said: "MillerCoors is satisfied that the U.S. attorney's office completed its investigation and today filed charges against Dave Colletti and seven other co-conspirators. All along we've sought justice for the millions of dollars stolen from our company as these actions are intolerable and inexcusable."
MillerCoors sued Colletti and others last year in Milwaukee Circuit Court in the suspected fraud. The company had indicated that it was cooperating with federal authorities, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
asachdev@tribpub.com
