Ex-Staples VP pleads guilty in fraud case

A former vice president of Staples Inc. pleaded guilty yesterday to 14 counts, including money laundering and mail and wire fraud.

James Y. Dorman entered his guilty plea to eight counts of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and three counts of money laundering in US District Court yesterday, almost a year after federal prosecutors filed an indictment alleging Dorman, a former vice president of marketing for the office supplier, stole more than $580,000 over two years and used a Staples company credit card for shopping and adult entertainment.

Federal prosecutors are recommending a prison sentence of at least 41 months and restitution of $584,826, the amount he embezzled from his former employer.

Dorman and his lawyers will have a chance to recommend less time in prison, but no less than 36 months.

Dorman's lawyer, Brad Bailey, had said last year that his client would plead not guilty. Reached last night he said, "There had been negotiating between my client and the US attorney's office, and those negotiations are reflected in the plea agreement."

Before pleading guilty, Dorman faced up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each mail and wire fraud offense and up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine for each money laundering count.

Sentencing was set for Jan. 28 before US District Judge Joseph L. Tauro.

A call to Framingham-based Staples was not immediately returned.