Savannah Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Embezzling Nearly Half a Million Dollars

SAVANNAH, Ga. – John Laakso, also known as John Trebesch, 57, of Savannah, Georgia, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for embezzling nearly $500,000 from his former employer, a local manufacturing company.

Laakso, a former Engineering Manager at the plant, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in November 2024. On December 2, 2025, Chief Judge R. Stan Baker of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia imposed the sentence following his guilty plea.

Court records reveal that Laakso used his managerial position to secretly award lucrative contracts to companies he controlled. These arrangements included payments for services that were never performed, as well as inflated charges for goods and services, allowing Laakso to divert funds for his personal gain.

“Our business partners in this District are the bedrock of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Heap. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Georgia will continue to ensure that those who abuse trust for personal gain will face justice, and that our community will be protected.”

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown added, “John Laakso betrayed his employer and fellow employees in this secretive and organized effort. Anyone who steals funds and unlawfully profits at the expense of others will be held accountable.”

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darron J. Hubbard and Bradford C. Patrick.