Next month, a man, convicted of stealing nearly $1 million from Orlando businesses will head to prison for two years.
Louis Ferrer stole $800,000 that he was supposed to use to pay taxes of nine different businesses.
Ferrer did not apologize to his victims inside or outside of court on Thursday. He walked away quickly, showing no emotion moments after being sentenced to two years in prison.
Carol Kane founded the non-profit The Mustard Seed. It provides clothes and furniture for families who suffered a tragedy. Nine years ago, Kane hired Ferrer's company to handle her payroll. But as it turned out, he was keeping the payroll taxes for himself over two years, adding up $80,000.
“He’s robbed a lot from me, and what could have been,” said Kane.
Kane said the money Ferrer stole would have been enough to buy 7,000 beds for disaster victims.
“You've worked all your life for something and have people who come in out of greed, destroy all you've worked for,” she said.
Kane had to use money from her retirement savings and take out a $70,000 loan to pay the IRS.
There are eight other victims like Kane, including Ted Farnsworth, who lost $450,000 to Ferrer.
The loss cost Farnsworth his Extreme Beverages business.
“Turns your life upside down,” said Farnsworth. “You don't understand what's going on when the IRS comes after you and you've already paid it. So, you have to pay it twice."
Farnsworth and Kane think two years in prison is too little for Ferrer, but they are thankful the case is finally closed.
Ferrer is required to pay back a total of $800,000, but at the required rate of $100 a month, it would take 666 years for restitution to be made.
WFTV
