A former employee of a manufacturing company in Savannah, Georgia, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzling nearly $500,000 from his employer. John Laakso, also known as John Trebesch, 57, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud after being charged in November 2024. On December 2, 2025, Chief Judge R. Stan Baker of the Southern District of Georgia handed down a sentence of 96 months’ imprisonment.
Laakso previously worked as an Engineering Manager at the company’s local plant. According to court records and testimony, he used his position to secretly award contracts to companies he controlled. These contracts included payments for services never provided and for goods and services billed at fraudulent rates.
U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Heap commented on the case: “Our business partners in this District are the bedrock of our community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Georgia will continue to ensure that those who abuse trust for personal gain will face justice, and that our community will be protected.”
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown stated: “John Laakso betrayed his employer and fellow employees in this secretive and organized effort. Anyone who steals funds and unlawfully profits at the expense of others will be held accountable.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation into Laakso’s actions. Assistant United States Attorneys Darron J. Hubbard and Bradford C. Patrick prosecuted the case.
For further inquiries about this case, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.