Former Keene Woman Indicted for Embezzling Over a Half Million Dollars

CONCORD – A former Keene woman was indicted in connection with stealing more than $500,000 from her employer between 2015 and 2021, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Stephanie Pratt, 38, was indicted on six counts of wire fraud.  Pratt will appear before Magistrate Judge Andrea K. Johnstone for an initial appearance in federal court today at 2:00pm.

According to the charging documents, Pratt was the office administrator for a company based in Hinsdale, New Hampshire.  She had full access to the company’s finances, including its bank accounts and credit cards.  Over the course of six-and-a-half years, Pratt stole more than $500,000 from the company.  She cashed unauthorized checks to herself and entered them as payments to legitimate vendors in the company’s accounting system.  Pratt also used the company’s credit cards to make unauthorized personal purchases, including for items like plane tickets, a smart TV, a hot tub, Patriots tickets, and miscellaneous herbs and spices.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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