Justice Prevails In Radio Fraud Case
• Stephanie McNamara Bitis, former General Manager of Long Island Radio Broadcasting LLC (LIRB), pled guilty in federal court on Monday, Nov. 16 to felony Access Device Fraud — a crime that carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment of 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and forfeiture of any proceeds from her crime.
Here’s what happened: Bitis (NOT pictured) served as VP/GM of LIRB — which includes Triple A simulcast 92.9/96.9 WEHM/WEHN, AC WBAZ and Top 40 WBEA (101.7 The Beach) from 2015-2017. Following several years of lackluster financial results, she was terminated. A suspicious wire transfer later caused LIRB owner Lauren Stone (pictured, below) to review the company’s American Express statements for the preceding six months. After noticing several charges that appeared fraudulent, Stone engaged an outside law firm to conduct an investigation into the radio stations’ financials.
That investigation revealed the shocking truth — Bitis had charged hundreds of thousands of dollars of personal expanses on LIRB’s corporate American Express card, including a family vacation to Aruba, personal visits to the orthodontist, boat maintenance and boat fuel and even tax services for delinquent personal income tax payments. Bitis concealed her fraud by submitting falsified documents to LIRB’s accountant, going as far as to create her own bogus American Express statements, removing vendors such as her orthodontist to hide the personal charges.
Last month, the government charged Bitis with felony Access Device Fraud. At her plea hearing, Bitis finally admitted to her crimes. She is scheduled to be sentenced on March 26, 2021.
Lauren Stone, who in addition to her role as owner is also PD and midday personality on WEHM, said, “These radio stations are a passion — a true labor of love for all of us who work here. I was shocked and saddened that someone would do this to us — especially in such a small, tight-knit community. I’m thankful that justice has been served and that she will not be able to defraud anyone else.” LIRB is grateful for the hard work of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York for their investigative efforts in bringing justice to LIRB and all of its loyal listeners.
