Jessica Pechtel, Wire Fraud, New Hampshire 2022

SOMERSWORTH, NH – Jessica Pechtel, 35, of Springvale, Maine, admitted in federal court today to a brazen scheme that saw her pilfer over $587,000 from her employer, a New Hampshire company. The long-running fraud, revealed by investigators, exposed a calculated betrayal of trust, leaving the victimized business reeling.

Pechtel, who served as office manager, had complete control over the company’s finances. Prosecutors say she exploited this position between January 2019 and March 2021, systematically siphoning funds through a four-pronged operation. The scheme included direct transfers to her personal accounts, unauthorized purchases made with the company credit card—primarily through Amazon and Venmo—and the creation of 17 fraudulent checks payable to herself.

But the greed didn’t stop there. Pechtel also allegedly stole nearly $44,000 in COVID-19 relief funds intended for the company. This callous act of exploiting a program designed to help businesses survive the pandemic underscores the depth of her deceit. The total fraudulent take: at least $587,219.

U.S. Attorney John J. Farley minced no words, stating, “This defendant stole a significant amount of money and betrayed the trust of her employer.” He emphasized the collaborative effort with law enforcement partners to bring white-collar criminals to justice. Timothy Benitez, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s New Hampshire Office, highlighted the agency’s commitment to investigating complex fraud, particularly when New Hampshire businesses are targeted.

The investigation was a joint effort between the U.S. Secret Service, the Somersworth Police Department, and the Nashua Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen are prosecuting the case. Pechtel is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2022, and faces significant penalties for her crimes.

This case is part of a broader effort by the Department of Justice to combat pandemic-related fraud. The COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, established in May 2021, aims to investigate and prosecute those who exploited relief programs. Anyone with information about COVID-19 fraud is urged to report it to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or through their online complaint form.

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