FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/MA
CONTACT: CHRISTINA DiIORIO-STERLING
PHONE: (617)748-3356
E-MAIL: USAMA.MEDIA@USDOJ.GOV
FORMER DUNKIN’ BRANDS EMPLOYEE CHARGED IN FRAUD SCHEME
BOSTON, MA - A former Dunkin’ Brands employee and a Dunkin’ Brands vendor were charged last Thursday in federal court with mail fraud.
United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New England Field Division, and Tyrone G. Barney, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation - Boston Field Division, announced today that Carolyn Kravetz, age 42, of San Ramon, California, formerly of Brookline, MA, and Boris Levitin, age 43, of Brighton, MA, were charged in an eight-count indictment. Kravetz and Levitin were each charged with six counts of mail fraud, and Kravetz was charged separately with two additional counts of subscribing a false tax return.
The Indictment alleges that between approximately August 2004 to October 2005, KRAVETZ was employed in the External Communications Department at Dunkin’ Brands’ corporate offices in Canton, MA, while LEVITIN operated his own small business. During that time, KRAVETZ agreed to steer Dunkin’ Brands business to LEVITIN’s company, Luminophore Inc., which provided graphic design, technical publishing, and information systems services . LEVITIN, in turn, agreed to kick back to KRAVETZ one-half of his gross receipts from Dunkin’ Brands. KRAVETZ then authorized payments from Dunkin’ Brands to LEVITIN’s company totaling $396,875, including payment in full for multiple projects on which LEVITIN had performed no work. In turn, LEVITIN kicked back to KRAVETZ approximately $198,437.50.
If convicted on the mail fraud charges, KRAVETZ and LEVITIN face up to twenty (20) years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of the tax charges, KRAVETZ faces up to three years in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, and a $100,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William H. Connolly of Sullivan’s Economic Crimes Unit.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###