Show-Me State Times

A North Carolina man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for embezzling more than $500,000 from two employers, including a St. Louis County company and a non-profit children’s hospital.

Scott H. Foster, 49, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was ordered by U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk to repay $306,199 to the St. Louis County company where he worked as a mid-level executive in human resources. According to court documents, Foster pleaded guilty in February to one count of wire fraud after admitting that he manipulated the company’s human resources systems to create an employee account for his paramour. Over nearly five years, this resulted in wages and benefits totaling more than $273,000 being paid out until Foster was terminated in December 2022. He also used a corporate American Express card for over $33,000 in personal travel expenses.

“Rather than learn from his crimes,” a sentencing memo filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow says, Foster’s conduct became “more manipulative and egregious.”

After his guilty plea for the first offense, the U.S. Attorney’s Office was contacted by a non-profit children’s hospital where Foster had been employed since June 2023. The hospital discovered that Foster had fraudulently used its credit cards for unauthorized personal expenses and travel after learning about his prior conviction. Despite receiving a $20,000 relocation bonus intended for moving closer to the hospital's area upon hiring, Foster remained in Charlotte and used hospital credit cards to pay for airfare and lodging while commuting to work. He also charged personal travel expenses—including first-class air travel to St. Louis and hotel accommodations during his February court appearance—to these cards.

Foster continued embezzling funds from the hospital even after learning he was under investigation for theft at his previous employer. Judge Pitlyk ordered him on Thursday to pay $194,855 in restitution to the hospital.

“Scott Foster absolutely belongs in prison—not just to answer for stealing from two different employers, but to stop him from preying on another one,” said Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. “After being fired from his first company and before he could be charged, Foster took a job at a children’s hospital—where he stole again. Employee theft is one of the most common white-collar crimes the FBI investigates, and it destroys trust from the inside. Businesses must protect themselves with strict internal controls, routine audits, and a clear line of sight on every dollar."

The case was investigated by the FBI St. Louis Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow.