LEXINGTON, Ky. — A former transportation supervisor for Tempur Sealy International has pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud after prosecutors say he stole more than $1 million from the company by misusing employee travel credit cards and submitting fabricated expense reports.
Christian Silvers Velazquez, who also used the names Micah Bravery and Charles Joseph Silvers, entered the guilty plea Thursday in U.S. District Court in Lexington. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Karen K. Caldwell, who set sentencing for April 23.
According to court records, Velazquez worked for Tempur Sealy from late 2021 through October 2024 as a transportation supervisor, overseeing delivery drivers at the company’s Green Island, New York, facility. The company is headquartered in Lexington.
Prosecutors say Velazquez applied for the job using his brother’s name and identification documents, falsely claiming he had no felony convictions. Court filings state he had previously been convicted in federal court of bank fraud and would likely not have been hired under his real identity.
Once employed, Velazquez was responsible for reviewing and approving driver travel expenses, including hotel and meal charges. Federal prosecutors said he exploited that access by charging personal expenses to company-issued travel cards and then disguising the charges as legitimate business costs in the company’s electronic expense system.
In some instances, Velazquez used company credit card numbers to pay for personal projects, including expenses connected to producing a podcast, according to the plea agreement. He then entered the charges as hotel stays and backed them up with fabricated hotel receipts.
In other cases, prosecutors said Velazquez went further, creating fictitious merchants to funnel money directly to himself. One such entity, called “Holiday Express,” was designed to resemble the name of a well-known hotel chain. Velazquez allegedly set up a merchant account under that name, charged company travel cards, submitted fake hotel documentation, and then transferred the proceeds into bank accounts he controlled.
Federal prosecutors said the scheme relied on interstate electronic communications, including online expense submissions, electronic payments, emails, and financial transfers.
In total, Velazquez caused Tempur Sealy to pay $1,023,074.19 in fraudulent credit card reimbursements, according to court filings.
As part of his plea agreement, Velazquez agreed to pay full restitution in that amount and consented to a forfeiture money judgment for the same sum. The agreement also requires him to disclose his financial information and cooperate with efforts to recover the stolen funds.
Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, along with fines and supervised release. The final sentence will be determined after a presentence investigation report is completed.
Velazquez remains in federal custody pending sentencing.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Smith. Velazquez is represented by Lexington attorney Thomas C. Lyons under a court appointment.