Couple arrested for allegedly stealing $800,000 from TIBCO Software

Paul Joseph Pichulo and Suzeth Pruscila Lara were arrested for allegedly funneling $823,299 from TIBCO Software to their own accounts. Lara, a benefits director, allegedly created fake invoices for unused benefits and collected payments from benefits providers such as Fidelity and CIGNA Health. She allegedly sent checks to bogus companies she and Pichulo created, while Pichulo transferred the money to personal accounts and withdrew large sums of cash. The alleged theft included $395,015 from two retirement plans, $172,372 from a wellness program, and $238,912 from a commuter benefits program. Pichulo was charged with 26 felonies, and Lara was charged with 39 felonies.

"Lara was TIBCO's benefits director. She allegedly created fake invoices for unused benefits and collected payments from benefits providers like Fidelity and CIGNA Health. She then sent checks to bogus companies created by herself and Pichulo, who transferred the money to their personal accounts and withdrew large sums of cash, FBI Special Agent Jason Hui said in a statement to support an arrest warrant."

"Lara and Pichulo allegedly stole $395,015 from two retirement plans, $172,372 from a wellness program and $238,912 from a commuter benefits program. Pichulo told investigators on Jan. 30 that he worked as a consultant for TIBCO, creating pamphlets and mailing flyers during an open enrollment period for health insurance once a year."

"Pichulo was arrested around 9 a.m. on May 11 by his house at 1765 San Ramon Ave., police records show. He's charged with 26 felonies - 18 counts of grand theft, seven counts of money laundering and one count of criminal conspiracy. Pichulo posted $750,000 bail for his release two hours after his arrest and missed his arraignment the next day."

"Lara was arrested and charged with 39 felonies on May 12. She posted $1 million bail and is due back in court on June 12, court records show. Pichulo and Lara previously dated and have an 8-year-old child together, Hui said."

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