Theodore Itsvan Joseph Kritza, was sentenced this week to 70 months in prison for stealing $4.7 million from former Arizona Wildcats and NBA star Richard Jefferson. Kritza previously pleaded guilty to bank and wire fraud.
Kritza’s prison sentence is to be followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $4,794,874 in restitution to Jefferson.
In April 2005, Jefferson hired Kritza to serve as his personal assistant, taking care of his day-to-day tasks, including paying his bills.
Between 2005 and 2012, Kritza fraudulently obtained funds by forging Jefferson’s signature on more than two dozen documents, including business loans, credit line applications, and a power of attorney. Kritza also forged Jefferson’s signature to open a bank account in Jefferson’s name so Kritza could conceal his use of Jefferson’s personal funds.
Kritza stole money from Jefferson’s salary, endorsement contract, and sale of a condo. Kritza then used the stolen funds to maintain a lavish lifestyle for his family that included expensive luxury cars, homes, vacations, private school tuition for his children, business investments, and the attempted purchase of an airplane.
