Former Facebook DEI Strategist Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $4M

Barbara Furlow-Smiles, a former Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategist at Facebook, has pleaded guilty to embezzling millions of dollars from the company. Furlow-Smiles diverted over $4 million by submitting false expense reports and recruiting fake vendors, including friends, relatives, and associates, who would then give her kickbacks in cash or transfers. She used the stolen funds for personal expenses, such as artwork and preschool tuition. Furlow-Smiles is scheduled to be sentenced in March 2024.