CHESTERFIELD • The former chief financial officer of a Chesterfield company admitted in federal court Wednesday that he'd embezzled $2.8 million from his employer.

Ramon "Trey" Luina III, 42, stole the money from July 2006 through Aug. 15, 2016 from CMS Communications Inc. by writing checks to himself and others, fraudulently increasing his salary and other means, Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Collins said in court. He used the money for the construction of a lake house, for vehicles and to pay for vacations and credit card payments, she said.

Luina tried to cover up his crime by creating fictitious vendors, she said.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, Luina could face roughly three years in federal prison at his sentencing in November, and will be ordered to repay the money.

A reporter's call to the company was not immediately returned.

Luina was chairman of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce in 2014.

Defense lawyer Joel Schwartz said that Luina had already paid back about $600,000 of the money.

"He regrets the choices he's made," Schwartz said, adding, "He fully intends to pay them back after any punishment is served.”

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