San Diego Woman Sentenced Over 5 Years for Embezzling Millions

Ping 'Jenny' Gao stole over $8.5 million from her employer and spent it on a luxury home and car.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A San Diego woman named Ping 'Jenny' Gao was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison for embezzling over $8.5 million from her employer, three aviation investment firms. Gao used the stolen funds to purchase a $2.9 million home in Point Loma and a $160,000 Porsche. She also attempted to cover up the theft by paying people in China to fabricate evidence and pose as the actual owner of the companies.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of corporate fraud and embezzlement, especially in the financial services industry. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of oversight and internal controls at some companies to prevent such large-scale theft.

The details

Gao pleaded guilty to embezzling the funds and laundering the money. She was later sued by her employer in civil court, but repeatedly committed perjury and violated a judge's order not to spend the stolen funds. Prosecutors say Gao tried to steal over $23 million total, but at least $13.7 million was frozen before she could move it.

  • Gao was sentenced on February 14, 2026.
  • The theft and embezzlement occurred over an unspecified period of time prior to being discovered.

The players

Ping 'Jenny' Gao

A San Diego woman who pleaded guilty to embezzling over $8.5 million from her employer, three aviation investment firms.

U.S. Attorney's Office

The federal prosecutors who brought charges against Gao and secured her sentencing.

David Silldorf

Gao's attorney, who claimed her conduct was impacted by poor advice from a previous attorney.

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What they’re saying

“Gao 'understands what she did was wrong,' but the attorney said the conduct arose out of the employer stealing her identity, as well as the identities of Gao's mother and several other women, as part of a fraud scheme.”

— David Silldorf, Gao's attorney (San Diego Union-Tribune)

“If the employer was engaged in fraudulent acts, they would not have opened themselves up to scrutiny by suing Gao and contacting the FBI.”

— Patrick Swan, Assistant U.S. Attorney (San Diego Union-Tribune)

What’s next

Gao was ordered to pay $3,295,000 in restitution as part of her sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger corporate governance and internal controls to prevent large-scale embezzlement and fraud, as well as the importance of swift action by authorities to prosecute such crimes and recover stolen funds.