#Bridgeport, CT – Jan. 29, 2014 – An Ansonia man faces larceny-related charges in connection with the theft of more than $25,000 from his former employer.

Detective Frank Podpolucha secured a warrant charging Joel Tenpenny, 41, with first-degree larceny and first-degree computer crimes.

Tenpenny worked for The Black Horse Automotive Services Inc., on Union Avenue,  as the controller, where he was hired to ensure that the company’s financial activities were properly recorded, controlled and reported to the owners and complied with state and federal tax regulations.

The investigation determined that Tenpenny defrauded the company in a number of ways. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, he fraudulently overpaid himself by $4,684 in salary over a five month period in late 2012 into January 2013.

Company officials also stated he also used company credit cards for his personal use. That loss was $11,092. In one instance he used a company card to pay for oil for his house.

He also allowed employees to purchase auto parts for their personal use on company credit cards. Employees reimbursed the company for the purchases in cash but Tenpenny kept the money.

He also artificially inflated the company’s operating income statements for the purpose of achieving performance bonuses for him and other management.

The total loss to the company was estimated at $25,775.