Van Vught, Embezzlement, Vermont 2024

Burlington, Vermont - A Northfield man has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for stealing nearly $558,625 from a non-profit internet network in east-central Vermont.

John Van Vught, 73, was sentenced on June 27, 2024, by United States District Judge Christina Reiss to 27 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $558,625 in restitution to ValleyNet.

Van Vught pleaded guilty to wire fraud on February 22, 2024.

Between 2010 and July 2022, Van Vught worked as an accountant for ValleyNet, a non-profit that operates fiber-to-the-home internet networks in east-central Vermont. During that time, he embezzled approximately $558,625 from the company's accounts by conducting electronic transfers.

After the embezzlement was suspected in the summer of 2022, Van Vught provided intentionally erroneous documentation to ValleyNet leadership in an attempt to cover up his crime. When confronted with evidence of the theft, Van Vught fled Vermont, traveling to New Mexico and then back east to Georgia, where he was apprehended by the FBI.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. Van Vught was represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/northfield-man-sentenced-27-months-embezzling-558625-valleynet