This really ticks me off.

[cali]

I live in a small village. The electric department here is owned by the larger (still small) town down the the road. Our electricity charges are some of the highest in the state.


Hardwick Electric $1.4 million embezzlement scheme went undetected for 10 years

By Sam Hemingway, Free Press Staff Writer • Wednesday, December 15, 2010


The Hardwick Electric Department, responding to the discovery of a $1.4 million embezzlement scheme allegedly carried out by its longtime office manager, has obtained a $500,000 payment from its insurance carrier to address a potential cash-flow problem.

“We were behind by almost $600,000 on our power bill,” Joseph Wood, chairman of the Hardwick Electric Commissioners, said Wednesday. “We had a hole in our bucket, but we’ve plugged it.”

The insurance claim, paid last week on a policy provided through the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, comes as the FBI is continuing its probe into evidence that authorities say indicates the office manager, Joyce Bellavance, diverted $1.4 million of the utility’s revenue to her own use during the past 10 years.

No criminal charges have been filed, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office told a federal judge it wants to seize three pieces of real estate — including a $399,000 condominium in Boston — plus 17 insurance policies, two retirement accounts and a luxury car believed connected to the embezzlement.

<snip>

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20101215/NEWS07/101215024/FBI-says-Vermont-utility-lost-1.5m-to-theft

The electric department was audited three times during this ten year period. some audit.

And yes, she's a nasty piece of work.

[lonestarnot]

1. This kind of crap is probably going on in many places.

[originalpckelly]

2. Terribly sorry about the screwing of you folks by The Hardwick Electric Department.

It's sad that someone stiffed you folks out of so much money. I think it's a forgone conclusion that the office manager will be doing some very hard time. At least this embezzlement finally came to an end. That's all I can say. Hopefully, the insurance will cover the consequences. At least Hardwick was protected from this lady. Joseph Wood appears to have this situation under control.

[cali]

3. I hope so.

insurance only covers 500,000. We'll see if she does hard time. It's been over 2 months and she still hasn't been arrested.

[democrank]

4. Disturbing story, Cali.

An update is on the front page of the Hardwick Gazette today.