Former Macy’s distribution center manager pleads guilty to mail fraud, money laundering

Former Macy’s distribution center manager Rudy Rampertab pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati to one count each of mail fraud and money laundering.    The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed the former manager of a Macy’s distribution center in Carson, Calif. has pleaded guilty to illegally profiting by diverting transportation work to companies he had an interest in.
   Rudy Rampertab, 46, of Ocoee, Fla., pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati to one count each of mail fraud and money laundering.
   According to the DOJ, Rampertab was an employee of Macy’s from 1988 until 2010. Beginning in 1998, Rampertab managed Macy’s distribution center in Carson and supervised the transport of merchandise to centers throughout the country.
   Starting in July 2010, Rampertab began diverting the shipment of goods to a co-conspirator who established several shipping companies. Ramptertab obtained approval for those companies to become third-party vendors for Macy’s, but did not disclose his personal connection to the companies, which he helped operate.
   Rampertab also did not disclose to Macy’s that he personally profited from the operations of these vendors.
   Between July and December 2010, the companies received more than $3.5 million in Macy’s shipping and packaging jobs. After paying expenses, they generated more than $900,000 in net profits from the diverted business.
   DOJ said Rampertab and his co-conspirator used the proceeds to purchase real estate and vehicles, including a 2010 Aston Martin costing $199,000.
   Mail fraud is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison and money laundering carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.