An Iowa Man Spent Over $140k of Company Funds on Pokémon Cards

As a card collector, I understand the addictive qualities the hobby has. It might seem like colorful cardboard to some, but the rush of collecting parallels, numbered cards, and unearthing gems in boxes is one that is very real. My piece of advice to card collectors: sometimes you need to let those hard-to-get cards go. Especially if the bank account is getting low.

One western Iowa man would've been wise to heed that advice, for his love of Pokémon cards landed him in extremely hot water. Last week, Mitch William Gross, a 34-year-old man of Earling, IA, was sentenced in court after defrauding his employer by purchasing Pokémon cards and gaming items.

Federal charges? Gotta catch 'em all!

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Per KCRG, court documents show that from September 2021 to October 2022, Gross defrauded his employer, Ruan Transportation Corp., with purchases of prepaid gift cards, Pokémon cards, and other gaming items totaling over $140,000. An absolutely eye-popping number.

Gross then went as far as to submit falsified receipts and "mischaracterized fraudulent charges" on his expense reports in order to have the purchases look legitimate. Last week, Gross was sentenced to four months in federal prison and to pay restitution, per KCRG. The restitution costs? $146,590.15.

Gross will then be under supervised release for three years following his release from prison, as there is no parole in the federal system. The Federal Bureau of Investigation worked with the Des Moines Police Department to investigate this case.

Read more about the arrest and sentencing of Mitch Gross of Earling, IA on KCRG's website.