Former Facebook Diversity Strategist Admits Guilt in $4 Million Theft

Barbara Furlow-Smiles, a former global diversity strategist at Facebook, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after stealing over $4 million from the company. Furlow-Smiles, who led various Facebook Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, used an elaborate scheme involving fraudulent vendors, fictitious charges, and cash kickbacks. She caused Facebook to pay for goods and services that were never provided and had individuals pay her kickbacks. Furlow-Smiles linked her Facebook credit cards to PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App accounts to facilitate the transactions. She is scheduled to be sentenced in March. Meta, Facebook's parent company, has cooperated with the investigation.