She said she had invested her earnings well and worked hard in her second job selling travel services online and lived luxuriously off the profits. Police and prosecutors believed otherwise, however, and she was arrested on charges relating to theft from the car dealership where she worked as a controller.

The 57-year-old woman of Cranberry, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and could spend up to six years in prison. In addition, she must forfeit four houses, relinquish jewelry and hand over 10 vehicles. She also must make restitution from future earnings. She will be sentenced on May 9.

The woman admitted to stealing $10.2 million from the local Acura dealership where she worked. She set up an elaborate system where she would transfer some of the dealer's general funds to its payroll fund, then move the money to an out-of-state financial center before returning it to her personal accounts. She is believed to have transferred money from the dealer about 800 times before being caught.

The dealership's CEO said the woman manipulated the funds by inflating inventory numbers and tampering with records and bank statements.

She allegedly used the money for overseas vacations taken on private jets, staying in first-class hotels and renting limousines. She bought tickets to the Super Bowl and seats to a papal Mass. She also bought 10 cars and four houses for her personal use or for family members. Her attorney said family members were unaware of her illegal dealings.

In cases like this, where the evidence proving guilt appears overwhelming, a plea bargain can be a suitable resolution. Some people simply don't want to fight charges anymore, and a plea bargain can mean a lesser sentence than a jury conviction.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Ex-controller of car dealer stole millions to live high life," Rich Lord, Jan. 11, 2012