A Manhattan marketing executive who admitted stealing nearly $6 million from his employers — including money prosecutors said helped pay for a $150,000 engagement ring — was sentenced Monday to as much as nine years in prison under a plea agreement.
Michael Collins, 62, received the sentence after pleading guilty in April to siphoning millions of dollars from companies where he had worked, using the funds to support what authorities described as an lavish, high-end lifestyle.
“I hope this sentencing sends a message to New York executives who exploit Manhattan businesses – you will be held accountable,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office secured the three- to nine-year prison deal.
Collins, formerly the chief marketing officer at digital banking platform nCino, spent the stolen money on expensive perks including executive club memberships, designer goods, upscale restaurants, and extensive travel and hotel stays, prosecutors said.
Appearing in Manhattan Supreme Court for sentencing in a white T-shirt under a gray zip-up hoodie, Collins was accused of building an elaborate fraud involving two sham companies to divert money from his employers between March 2016 and April 2024.
Using the names Quattro Quadrati LLC and Regiondrivers LLC, Collins allegedly created false email addresses, phone numbers and bank accounts to give the fake businesses the appearance of legitimate vendors, according to the indictment.
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Prosecutors said Collins went even further by inventing fictitious employees tied to the companies, a move intended to conceal the eight-year embezzlement scheme and keep payments flowing.
Authorities said the former executive was especially fond of travel, booking more than 150 flights during the years the thefts took place, while also purchasing the $150,000 engagement ring from a boutique jewelry store.
Prosecutors have said that in total, Collins stole $5 million from a financial education company where he served as the chief marketing officer before he left in 2022.
He then continued his scheme at his next job where he became the chief marketing and revenue officer for an unnamed education technology company — stealing another nearly $1 million before he was caught, court papers show.
Collins pleaded guilty to two counts of grand larceny April 22.
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Julieta Lozano also issued judgement orders to the companies that Collins ripped off.
“Michael Collins took full responsibility for his actions and apologized in court,” his lawyer, Seth Zuckerman, told The Post after sentencing. “He looks forward to paying his debt and being a productive member of the community upon his release.”
