A former corporate controller for Avastra USA Inc, has pleaded guilty to embezzling $550,000 from the company over a six month period. Nathan Gilliland, 30 of Ladera Ranch pleaded guilty to computer fraud, grand theft and identity theft and was sentenced to 5 years and 8 months in state prison. Gilliland was also ordered to pay restitution.

According to prosecutors, Gilliland stole the money and put it into his E-Trade account of which only $50,000 remained when authorities were alerted to the white collar crime.