Tempe Home Depot employee accused of passing nearly $390K in counterfeit cash

PHOENIX – A Tempe Home Depot employee was arrested by federal agents this week for allegedly swapping nearly $390,000 in counterfeit currency for real money while working for home improvement retail giant.

Adrian Jean Pineda, a vault associate, is accused of passing the funny money while bagging cash from store registers so it could be deposited into the bank, according to a Friday press release from the U.S. Secret Service.

Home Depot reported $387,500 in losses over the last four years because of counterfeit notes in deposits, the Secret Service said.

Agents seized $5,000 in fake cash and $5,300 of the real stuff when they arrested Pineda at work Monday, according to the release. Another $22,000 in genuine currency was found when a search warrant was served at his residence.

Pineda was charged with uttering counterfeit currency, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison under federal code.

“[The] arrest and search warrant operation marked the culmination of a strategic investigation enacted by Phoenix special agents, Home Depot security personnel and Wells Fargo Bank,” U.S. Secret Service Phoenix Field Office Special Agent in Charge Frank Boudreaux Jr. said in the release.

“I’m extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of all involved and thank our partners for their commitment and vigilance.”

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