In the Courts

Judge Orders $2.9 Million Payment to Company to Offset Embezzlement

A roofing company has won a $2.9 million civil judgment against a former Connecticut employee who allegedly embezzled nearly $1 million to pay for his personal expenses.

U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Meyer on June 22 granted a motion for summary judgment in the case of Nations Roof LLC et al vs. Claude Carnahan. Carnahan had been the company's regional controller prior to his termination. Meyer found the plaintiffs to be entitled to treble the stolen amount of $984,057, in damages, plus prejudgment interest. Meyer gave Carnahan credit for the $115,636 he has repaid already. The judge did not award punitive damages.

“The court believes that the award of treble damages is sufficient to fully compensate plaintiffs for the harm they suffered, particularly in light of the fact that [Carnahan] has not amplified plaintiffs' litigation costs by opposing summary judgment in this action,” Meyer wrote in his decision.

In granting the motion for summary judgment, Meyer noted there is no genuine issue of fact for trial.

Attorney Frank Silvestri Jr. of Verrill Dana in Westport, CT, who represents Nations Roof, said, “The judge granted what we requested, to which there was no real objection.” Silvestri declined to comment further on the case or the judge's decision. The company's 2014 lawsuit had sought treble damages for statutory theft, and made claims of conversion and breach of fiduciary duty.

Nations Roof, of Lithia Springs, GA, hired Carnahan, of Westport, in 2003, and he later became its regional controller. His role involved bookkeeping and accounting, and his duties meant he was authorized to issue and sign company checks. He was also required to maintain accurate books, records, ledgers and check registers for the company.

In his ruling, Meyer noted that the theft occurred over a period of about seven years.

U.S. District Court records show no federal criminal charges pending against Carnahan, and there is nothing on the Connecticut Judicial Branch's website referencing any state charges. The U.S. Attorney's Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation in Connecticut and Georgia indicated they had no charges pending. ' Michelle Tuccitto Sullo, The Connecticut Law Tribune

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Judge Orders $2.9 Million Payment to Company to Offset Embezzlement

A roofing company has won a $2.9 million civil judgment against a former Connecticut employee who allegedly embezzled nearly $1 million to pay for his personal expenses.

U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Meyer on June 22 granted a motion for summary judgment in the case of Nations Roof LLC et al vs. Claude Carnahan. Carnahan had been the company's regional controller prior to his termination. Meyer found the plaintiffs to be entitled to treble the stolen amount of $984,057, in damages, plus prejudgment interest. Meyer gave Carnahan credit for the $115,636 he has repaid already. The judge did not award punitive damages.

“The court believes that the award of treble damages is sufficient to fully compensate plaintiffs for the harm they suffered, particularly in light of the fact that [Carnahan] has not amplified plaintiffs' litigation costs by opposing summary judgment in this action,” Meyer wrote in his decision.

In granting the motion for summary judgment, Meyer noted there is no genuine issue of fact for trial.

Attorney Frank Silvestri Jr. of Verrill Dana in Westport, CT, who represents Nations Roof, said, “The judge granted what we requested, to which there was no real objection.” Silvestri declined to comment further on the case or the judge's decision. The company's 2014 lawsuit had sought treble damages for statutory theft, and made claims of conversion and breach of fiduciary duty.

Nations Roof, of Lithia Springs, GA, hired Carnahan, of Westport, in 2003, and he later became its regional controller. His role involved bookkeeping and accounting, and his duties meant he was authorized to issue and sign company checks. He was also required to maintain accurate books, records, ledgers and check registers for the company.

In his ruling, Meyer noted that the theft occurred over a period of about seven years.

U.S. District Court records show no federal criminal charges pending against Carnahan, and there is nothing on the Connecticut Judicial Branch's website referencing any state charges. The U.S. Attorney's Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation in Connecticut and Georgia indicated they had no charges pending. ' Michelle Tuccitto Sullo, The Connecticut Law Tribune

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