Lancaster man gets probation for stealing over $172K from employer

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Lancaster man was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to five years of probation after fraudulently obtaining over $172,900 in payments for work that he did not perform, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Over the course of four years, 47-year-old George Bonnes obtained $172,954.95 from his employer in Amherst. He had submitted numerous falsified invoices while working as an information technology specialist at a medical office in the town between September 2018 and September 2022.

New York State Police assisted in the investigation.

Bonnes pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny in May. As a condition of the plea, he signed a confession of judgment to pay full restitution to the victim.

As of July 17, Bonnes has not paid any of the money back.

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.