Report: Tech CEO who played in upscale golf events while employees went unpaid raided by FBI, charged with fraud
A tech CEO who was jetsetting and playing in prestigious golf events — like the JP McManus Pro-Am and the LIV Golf Invitational’s pro-am at The Centurion Club — while his staff went unpaid was raided by the FBI on Tuesday morning at his Dallas-area mansion, according to a report in Forbes.
Chris Kirchner, the founder of logistics company Slync, was charged with fraud by multiple federal agencies. According to a complaint, Kirchner is being accused of wire fraud and misappropriating $20 million of the company’s funds. If he’s found guilty of the charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Kirchner’s love of golf was well known by his employees, and the firm even became the title sponsor of the Dubai Desert Classic in Sept. 2021, taking over after Omega’s 12-year run with the event.
But while Kirchner played in the JP McManus Pro-Am — which had pros like Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler in the field — the firm’s almost 100 employees had long gaps without paychecks.
Kirchner, meanwhile, bought a private jet valued at $15 million, joined an exclusive country club in Dallas, purchased a number of expensive cars, and even attempted to buy the English football team Derby County. He also played alongside Sergio Garcia in the LIV Golf Pro-Am event at the Centurion Club.
“This defendant flaunted his apparent wealth while allegedly diverting millions from company coffers into his private bank account,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “Slync investors and employees are understandably outraged, and we sympathize. We look forward to holding Mr. Kirchner accountable in federal court.”
According to Forbes, Kirchner had been selling TVs for Best Buy just a few years ago, but his rocket-like rise to a perceived perch atop the tech world allowed for a newfound lifestyle that included the membership at Vaquero, which is ranked as one of the best private courses in Texas, according to Golfweek’s Best’s state-by-state list. The initiation at the club, which includes a Tom Fazio-designed course, is $175,000 with annual dues over $15,000, according to one report.
Slync’s deal with the Dubai Desert Classic was terminated in 2022 and Kirchner was removed from his position by the board of directors.
“As the criminal complaint alleges, Mr. Kirchner used his position as a CEO to defraud investors and the company he worked for by diverting funds for his personal benefit. He did this to fund a lavish lifestyle at the expense of those that trusted him to act responsibly and ethically,” said FBI Dallas Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Dwyer. “The FBI will remain persistent in our efforts to hold individuals accountable that commit such brazen acts of corporate greed.”
