GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Maria Higgins, a 36-year-old bookkeeper from Manchester, CT, has pleaded guilty to embezzling over $861,000 in two separate schemes. Higgins, who stole funds from New England Kitchen & Bath LLC and PVC Solutions, Inc., used various methods including forged checks, fictitious suppliers, and direct wire transfers to her own accounts.
Higgins was employed as a bookkeeper at New England Kitchen & Bath LLC from mid-2018 to April 2022. During this time, she stole $504,807 by issuing company checks payable to herself, often labeling them as ‘commission’ or ‘bonus’, and using the owner’s signature handstamp. She also initiated wire transfers to her own bank accounts, created a fictitious supplier, billed for fictitious expenses, used company debit cards for personal purchases, and manipulated client payments.
From February 2023 to April 2024, Higgins worked as an accounting manager at PVC Solutions, Inc., where she embezzled another $356,181. She issued checks to herself, created duplicate payment templates for wire transfers, billed fictitious suppliers, and paid personal expenses through the company’s account. Higgins also manipulated the company’s accounting records to hide her crime.
Higgins failed to report approximately $768,650 of her stolen income on her federal tax returns, resulting in a loss of $167,831 to the IRS. She pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of stolen money and tax evasion, with sentencing scheduled for December 2nd.
As part of the plea agreement, Higgins has agreed to pay full restitution to the affected companies and the IRS. She is currently released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.
This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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