Ex-Gordmans executive will spend nearly 2 years in prison for stealing from discount retailer

Ex-Gordmans exec gets prison for defrauding firm

OMAHA, Neb. — The former head of store security at discount retailer Gordmans Stores Inc. has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for stealing from the company.

U.S. District Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced 44-year-old Richard Palmer for mail fraud Tuesday, and ordered him to repay Omaha-based Gordmans $159,000.

Prosecutors say Palmer made unauthorized purchases of electronics and video equipment from 2004 to 2008, and then he faked requests for the gear from more than 70 different stores and forged his supervisor’s signature.

Much of the equipment was sold online on eBay and other sites, but prosecutors say Palmer kept some of it for his own use.

Palmer will also have to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.

Online:

Gordmans stores: www.gordmans.com