ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A former human resources director for Auto-Nation, AOL and Qwest Communications has pleaded guilty to fraud in Alexandria, Va., federal court.
Prosecutors said Gregory S. Horton swindled AutoNation of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., out of $1.8 million for his biggest score. They said he also defrauded Qwest of $333,000 and AOL of $100,000.
They said he had consultants he helped hire direct funds to other companies he controlled. Investigators said the scheme began at AutoNation and moved to Qwest and AOL when he took positions there.
Maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and he could be ordered to make restitution.
"We are confident that the sentence will include a requirement for Mr. Horton to make full restitution to AutoNation," said AutoNation spokesman Marc Cannon.
Sentencing is set for April 22.
Horton, who at one point served as vice president of AutoNation, the nation's largest automobile retailer, made his plea in a 10-page statement.
