DES MOINES, Iowa — Ralph L. Schippers, 58, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Schippers also was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1.4 million.

The former dealership employee will also serve three years of supervised release following release from prison. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge John A. Jarvey.

Schippers pleaded guilty to the charge on Sept. 17 and admitted to embezzling more than $1.4 million from his employer, Granger Motors, over a 14-year period. Schippers accomplished the fraud by manipulating the dealership’s accounting system and causing money to be wired or deposited to his personal bank account, making fraudulent journal entries in order to conceal the fraud.

Schippers was the dealership’s office manager and, as such, was responsible for managing the dealership’s accounting systems, payroll management and similar tasks. He admitted to using some of the embezzled funds to purchase goods and services for himself and his family, including international airline tickets, hotel accommodations, meals at Des Moines-area restaurants, golf-related items, and jewelry.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation–Des Moines Resident Agency and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.