LaSaundra Simmons, Wire Fraud, New Hampshire 2024

CONCORD, NH – A North Carolina woman is facing serious time after admitting she systematically ripped off her former employer, Farwell Funeral Service in Nashua. LaSaundra Simmons, 51, pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud, admitting to a long-running scheme that saw her pocket over half a million dollars.

U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announced the guilty plea, detailing how Simmons, while employed as the bookkeeper for Farwell Funeral Service, Inc., began siphoning funds starting in 2015. The theft continued, undetected, for nearly eight years, finally coming to light in January 2023. This wasn’t a one-time grab; it was a calculated, sustained effort to line her own pockets at the expense of a local business.

The scheme was simple, but effective. Simmons executed over 100 unauthorized wire transfers, moving money directly from the funeral home’s accounts into her own. She also drafted unauthorized checks, cleverly disguising them as “commissions” or “consulting fees” before depositing them electronically. The total haul: more than $500,000. It’s a cold calculation – profiting off the grief and loss of others.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante has scheduled sentencing for August 29, 2024. Simmons now faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, along with three years of supervised release and a hefty $250,000 fine. Crucially, restitution – meaning she’ll be forced to pay back every stolen dollar – is mandatory. The feds aren’t playing around with this.

The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nashua Police Department, uncovered the extent of Simmons’ deceit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case, and will be arguing for a substantial penalty given the brazen nature and longevity of the fraud. This case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly trusted employees can be capable of serious criminal acts.

Sentencing will ultimately be determined by Judge Laplante, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes. But one thing is certain: LaSaundra Simmons will answer for betraying the trust placed in her and exploiting a vulnerable business for personal gain. The Grimy Times will be in court for the sentencing and will continue to follow this case.

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