ST. LOUIS  •   A former business manager for Metropolitan Urological Specialists was sentenced Friday in federal court here to 78 months in prison for embezzling millions of dollars from his company.
Dunard Morris, 49, pleaded guilty in September to two counts of mail fraud and one of wire fraud, admitting an "extensive embezzlement" of at least $2.5 million from the Chesterfield-based company.Â
As part of the sentencing on Friday, U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel ordered Morris to pay $5.6 million in restitution.
Federal prosecutors say Morris repeatedly increased his own base salary, without authorization or disclosure to shareholders, and took hundreds of thousands in unauthorized and undisclosed bonuses, reimbursements, and meal and entertainment expenses.
They say he used the money to support a lavish lifestyle of high-end jewelry, luxury automobiles, expensive firearms, designer clothing, fine wine and international travel.
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Morris spent hundreds of thousands at restaurants such as Il Bel Lago in Creve Coeur, Annie Gunn's in Chesterfield, Momo's Ouzaria Taverna in University City and the Kaffee Haus at Schneithorst's in Ladue, where he held court for hours.
Although Morris and his fourth wife, Donna, bought a four-bedroom home with a swimming pool on Windcastle Drive in St. Charles for $875,000 in 2007, prosecutors said he also kept a luxury suite at Mansions on the Plaza in University City, paying the $5,400-a-month rent with company money.
Morris was indicted Feb. 29 on six charges, including violation of the "stolen valor" law by pretending to be a war hero. Prosecutors dismissed that count after the U.S. Supreme Court declared the law unconstitutional.
Metropolitan Urological has offices in Crestwood, Florissant and Creve Coeur and on the campuses of Mercy Hospital ºüÀêÊÓƵ, St. Luke's Hospital in Chesterfield and Mercy Hospital Washington.