Vanessa Vicenti, Embezzlement, New Mexico 2015
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The former purchasing agent for the Jicarilla Apache Nation has pleaded guilty to embezzling funds from the tribe.
Vanessa Vicenti, 46, formerly of Dulce, N.M., was charged in an indictment filed on Dec. 17, 2015, with theft of funds belonging to the Jicarilla Apache Nation, an organization receiving more than $10,000 in federal funds.
The indictment alleged that Vicenti committed the crime by embezzling approximately $23,039.23 from the Tribe between Dec. 2010 and May 2011. The indictment also charged Vicenti with embezzling more than $1,000 in funds belonging to an Indian Tribal organization by using the Jicarilla Apache Nation’s credit card on eight separate occasions between Jan. 2011 and April 2011.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Vicenti pled guilty to the theft charge, and admitted embezzling funds belonging to the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
The plea agreement states that Vicenti committed the crime while employed as the purchasing agent for the Jicarilla Apache Nation, a position she held from Feb. 2007 through June 2011.
In that capacity, Vicenti had access to and use of the Tribe’s Sam’s Club credit card for authorized purchases. From Jan. 2010 through May 2011, Vicenti made unauthorized purchases using the Tribe’s credit card for gift cards, alcohol, groceries, clothes and cosmetics for herself and her family.
Vicenti concealed her embezzlement scheme by intercepting the credit card bills and modifying them before submitting them to the billing department for payment. Vicenti was suspended from her position in May 2011 and was terminated after a full investigation in June 2011.
Under the terms of her plea agreement, Vicenti will be sentenced to a one to five year term of probation. Vicenti also will be required to pay $5,000 in restitution to the Tribe, the amount being the difference between the total unauthorized purchases and the amount that the Jicarilla Apache Nation has been reimbursed by its insurer.
Cohoe will remain on conditions of release and under pretrial supervision pending her sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristopher N. Houghton is prosecuting the case.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant/Respondent: Vanessa Vicenti
- Criminal Charges: Theft of funds belonging to the Jicarilla Apache Nation
- City and State: Albuquerque, N.M.
- Date: Dec. 2010 to May 2011 (crime date)
- Sentence or Outcome: One to five year term of probation and $5,000 in restitution
- Dollar Amounts: $23,039.23 (amount embezzled)
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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