A former Microsoft employee is being investigated for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Redmond-based firm. Reports vary, but the total amount allegedly stolen by the man ranges from $460,000 to $515,000.

Robert Curry wasn't just an average Microsoft employee. As Director of Business Development in the company's Strategic Partnerships Unit (a division of the Online Audience Business Team), Mr. Curry was responsible for approving payments to various partners based on services rendered.

Shell Company Used for Fraud

It was in this role that Curry was able to make off with around half a million bucks.

Prosecutors led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) allege that the accused was successful by creating a ghost company through which he funneled cash between Microsoft and a legitimate vendor called Pentad Solutions. Pentad is a Seattle-based recruiting firm. (Source: tgdaily.com)

Curry actually made it look as though the fake company he created provided services to Microsoft -- services that the prosecution says it can show were never performed.

Trips, Investments Made With Stolen Cash

It's said that Curry spent much of his ill-gotten funds on various lavish expenditures, including a vacation north of the border to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. Reports also note that he invested about $150,000 of the half million dollars in a financially-troubled premium audio equipment firm.

Due to the investigation, Microsoft fired Curry back in January. He now faces three counts of wire fraud. (Source: mobiledia.com)

The charges come only a month after an Apple employee plead guilty to 23 counts of wire fraud amounting to $1 million in kickbacks from various Asian suppliers.