Man charged with stealing over $200,000 from employer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island man is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the real estate developer that employed him.

Federal prosecutors allege that 55-year-old Gregory Meeker of Barrington funneled more than $200,000 to his bank account by submitting fraudulent invoices to former employer Landings Real Estate Group. He was indicted Thursday on charges of identity theft and bank fraud.

Starting in late 2015, Landings issued checks for subcontractors to pay for work that wasn’t done.

U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch says Meeker then forced endorsements of subcontractors and put the money in his own account.

It is alleged Meeker pocketed funds for the Newport Beach Club Project - the construction of several luxury residences in Portsmouth.

Meeker could not be reached for comment, and has been released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.