A former global diversity strategist at Facebook, Barbara Furlow-Smiles, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after stealing more than $4 million from the social media giant. Furlow-Smiles, who led various Facebook Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from 2017 through mid-2021, utilized an elaborate scheme involving fraudulent vendors, fictitious charges, and cash kickbacks, according to federal prosecutors.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta released a statement detailing Furlow-Smiles' fraudulent activities. The former DEI leader caused Facebook to pay individuals for goods and services that were never provided to the company. These individuals, including friends, relatives, former interns, nannies, babysitters, a hair stylist, and her university tutor, then paid Furlow-Smiles kickbacks.

Prosecutors revealed that Furlow-Smiles had also directed funds to individuals who did not provide kickbacks. One instance involved $10,000 allocated to an artist for specialty portraits, and over $18,000 disbursed to a preschool for tuition fees. To carry out her scheme, Furlow-Smiles linked her Facebook credit cards to PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App accounts, utilizing these platforms to make payments to friends, relatives, and associates for purported goods and services provided to Facebook.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan emphasized that Furlow-Smiles had abused her position of trust at Facebook, defrauding the company of millions of dollars while disregarding the importance of her DEI mission. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, cooperated with the investigation, providing assistance and cooperation.

Furlow-Smiles, who resides in Atlanta, is currently scheduled to be sentenced on March 19. She has been released on a $5,000 bond. Meta's spokesperson stated that the company continues to cooperate with law enforcement regarding this case involving the former program manager.

It is crucial to note that Furlow-Smiles was not the top DEI leader for Facebook, as Meta clarified. The stolen funds were calculated to be over $4 million, and Furlow-Smiles is now facing the legal consequences for her actions.