Jennifer LaBonte, Wire Fraud, Vermont 2024

Rutland, Vermont – In a shocking turn of events, Jennifer LaBonte, 45, of Essex Junction, Vermont, pleaded guilty to a charge of wire fraud in United States District Court, Rutland.

On October 2, 2024, the United States Attorney filed an information charging LaBonte with a single count of wire fraud. That is the charge to which she pleaded guilty. According to the information, between 2001 and January 2024, LaBonte was employed by automobile dealerships located in Burlington. From about 2012 until her termination, LaBonte served as office manager for the dealerships, a position that gave her oversight over all accounting matters. LaBonte had check-signing authority.

The information charges that, beginning no later than 2013, LaBonte began embezzling from the dealerships. For the most part, LaBonte stole cash receipts that had been paid by dealership customers, but she also issued checks to herself for non-business-related purposes. LaBonte tried to cover up her thefts by manipulating and falsifying entries about individual transactions in the dealerships' computerized accounting systems. An officer at the dealerships uncovered the fraud in January 2024, and LaBonte was immediately fired. The total loss resulting from her embezzlement is about $191,000.

In court, the parties announced that LaBonte has provided the dealerships with a check that repaid them in full for the stolen funds. LaBonte faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. LaBonte is represented by Brooks McArthur, Esq. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

LaBonte is scheduled to be sentenced on March 4, 2025 with bail set pending.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/jennifer-labonte-pleads-guilty-embezzling-employer