July 25, 2008

VERMONT BOOKKEEPER INDICTED FOR LONG-TERM EMBEZZLEMENTS

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Deborah Whitney, 42, of Eden, Vermont was arrested and arraigned today on multiple federal wire fraud, money laundering, and tax fraud charges.

The July 22, 2008 Indictment charges that Whitney, doing business as D & DD Bookkeeping, embezzled large amounts of money from customers, including Arthur's Department Store in Morrisville, Stanley Wescom Construction in Eden, and others, by forging signatures on hundreds of business checks. According to the Indictment, Whitney owes Arthur's Department Store over $600,000, and embezzled over $150,000 from Stanley Wescom Construction. She is also charged with defrauding other area individuals, including Tina Teale, Christopher Ferland, and Steven Carbone, by soliciting a total of over $86,000 from them under false pretenses.

Whitney appeared in court today before United States Magistrate Judge Jerome J. Niedermeier and was released pending trial under supervision of the court's Pretrial Services Department. The United States Attorney stated that the Indictment is only an accusation and that Whitney is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the IRS. No attorney has filed an appearance for Whitney. The United States is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Bill Darrow.