Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 56-year-old William Gajewski of Amherst pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice John L. Michalski to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Forgery in the Second Degree, and Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree.

Starting in March 2015 through December 2016, the defendant admitted to stealing $318,000 from Buffalo Rheumatology and Medicine in Orchard Park while working as an office manager. Gajewski forged documents for false expenses to support checks, which he deposited into his personal bank account.

In addition, the defendant admitted to failing to pay $11,744 in back taxes from 2016.

He has since repaid the entire amount to his previous employer and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finances.

Gajewski faces a maximum of 19 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, August 1 at 11 a.m.

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Detective John Payne of the Orchard Park Police Department and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

“My office will continue to aggressively prosecute white collar criminals,” said District Attorney John Flynn. “In addition to the money being paid back, I hope the defendant pleading guilty brings justice to those affected by his crimes.”

This case was prosecuted by Chief Candace K. Vogel and Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Ertel of the DA’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.