Kelly Swift, who pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $70,000 from the family-owned business Jarecki Valves in Fairview Township, has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison after a prolonged two-year legal battle.
Peter Jarecki, co-owner of the company, shared that the Jarecki brothers had hired Swift in an effort to ease the burden on their family business while CEO Frank Jarecki underwent cancer treatments.
"Patients with cancer, like Frank, are particularly susceptible to fraud and exploitation. Targeting someone during such a vulnerable period in their life is truly tragic. Even with insurance, the cost of cancer treatment is substantial, and managing these treatments often incurs significant expenses. Falling victim to fraud during this time can devastate a patient's financial stability and overall well-being," Peter Jarecki said.
The investigation into Swift's actions culminated in the discovery of over 200 documents related to theft and forgery. Peter emphasized that the effects of the crime reached far beyond the financial loss, describing the toll it took on both his brother's health and his own personal life.
"Unfortunately, this extreme hardship and stress took a significant toll on my health," Peter Jarecki explained. "My once-normal blood pressure now requires lifelong medication to manage. This undoubtedly affects my lifespan and, consequently, will impact my children, my family, and their future families. One person's actions can indeed cause widespread harm to many people."
