4 yrs for stealing $34M – what a deal!!

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

A Portland couple, Sergey and Galina Lebedenko, who ran a local chauffeur and limousine service, were recently sentenced to federal prison for embezzling $34 million from two former clients.

For nearly a decade, this couple spent millions on many things that cannot be returned like travel, fancy restaurants, luxury gifts to friends, and a wedding.   This near-decade long of living in luxury has cost them only 4.7 years in prison.   This prison time is so light that it almost encourages people to steal millions and go on a spending spree because you will only spend the same amount of prison time as you spent being a millionaire.  This is — if you get caught.

Here are more details behind the recklessness of this case: 

In one instance in 2023, they made 17 separate charges to the victim’s credit card in a single day, amounting to $17,900.  The Lebedenkos leveraged their illicit profits to support a lavish lifestyle, acquiring 14 homes and properties, 7 vehicles, a stake in a private jet, and an array of opulent items such as shoes, watches, wallets, jewelry, a $3,000 gold necklace and gold bars.  They charged their victim’s credit card a whopping 454 times for more than $1.3 million right before their daughter’s wedding.  There was text messages during Christmas among the family where they joked that the victim’s credit card will come to the rescue and buy everything they want.

It also made headlines that Sergey Lebenenko was shown on camera engaging in physical activities at a time when he said he was frail and used a wheelchair.

Their criminal activities began in 2007 when Sergey was hired to drive a client to the airport. This client soon became a frequent customer, and by 2018, Sergey was providing almost daily transportation services around Portland. Meanwhile, Galina took on additional personal tasks, such as managing bills, organizing mail, and caring for the couple’s pets. This arrangement lasted from around 2018 until 2023, during which the victim entrusted the Lebedenkos with his American Express credit card details for direct billing.

Aside from a single invoice in 2013, the Lebedenkos never delivered any logs detailing their hours or service charges. For the majority of their work, only they were aware of the time spent on the services. When the victim raised questions about some charges, Sergey would often cite their long-standing, trustworthy relationship.

Both were handed down a 57-month prison term, followed by three years of supervised release.

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