Pinkerton Worker Pleads Guilty to Computer Fraud

Pinkerton Security & Investigation Services, the 141-year-old detective agency whose slogan is “the eye that never sleeps,” was caught napping by an employee who embezzled more than $1 million from the firm.

Marita Juse, 48, of Burbank, pleaded guilty to computer fraud this week in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. Between January, 1988, and December, 1990, Juse wired $1.1 million of Pinkerton funds to her own account and accounts of two fictitious companies. Pinkerton discovered the theft through a routine audit conducted after Juse left the firm Jan. 7, said Sally Phillips, assistant general counsel for Pinkerton.

Juse also pleaded guilty to unrelated 1986 charges of conspiracy, theft of government property and false claims in connection with a scheme to submit false tax returns claiming refunds. She faces a maximum sentence of 30 years and millions of dollars in fines.