Former Westin Hotel Exec Accused of Embezzling $500K

A former executive of a well-known San Diego hotel faces federal charges for embezzling more than $500,000, officials said Thursday.

Kevin Kelso, the former Director of Finance for the Westin San Diego, was arrested Tuesday by the U.S. Secret Service.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office claims Kelso embezzled the money from the Westin in a number of ways ranging from charging personal items on a corporate credit card, writing checks to himself on Westin’s account and submitting duplicate expense reports to reversing the charges at the Westin for his family and friends.

They also claim Kelso used the hotel’s policy for converting larger bills into smaller ones for customers as a way to steal from his employer.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges at an arraignment in federal court. His next court appearance will be on Sept. 4.

Kelso, 36, worked for the Westin from December 2010 up until September 2012. When he was arrested, he was working at another hotel. Officials did not reveal his new employer.

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