BURLINGTON, VT – Susan Blaue, 39, of Woodstock, Vermont, is facing serious federal charges after allegedly pilfering $130,000 from her former employer, ABLE Waste Management, and two related companies. Blaue pleaded not guilty today in United States District Court, facing a potential 20-year prison sentence if convicted.
The scheme, according to a federal grand jury indictment returned March 29, 2017, in Rutland, spanned from 2012 to early 2015. Blaue was employed as a bookkeeper, wielding control over accounts receivable, accounts payable, and the company payroll. While lacking direct check-signing authority, she possessed access to the owner’s signature stamp – a crucial tool in her alleged deception.
Prosecutors allege Blaue began siphoning funds in April 2013, issuing unauthorized checks to herself, forging the owner’s signature, or utilizing the signature stamp without permission. These checks were then deposited into her personal bank account. The indictment details a brazen pattern of abuse: personal bills paid with company funds, personal purchases made with ABLE credit cards, and even the company footing the bill for her housing, covering rent on a company-owned house she occupied during her employment.
The $130,000 wasn’t a quick grab; it was a slow bleed, meticulously carried out over more than two years. Investigators from the United States Secret Service and the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office painstakingly pieced together the evidence, uncovering a trail of illicit transactions that culminated in the indictment. The details suggest a calculated betrayal of trust.
Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss released Blaue on conditions pending trial. However, the United States Attorney’s Office was quick to emphasize that the indictment contains only accusations, and Blaue is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A conviction could result in up to 20 years behind bars and a fine of up to $250,000, though the final sentence will be determined based on federal sentencing guidelines.
Assistant Federal Public Defender David McColgin is representing Blaue. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples is prosecuting the case. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, bringing you the unvarnished truth from the Vermont courtroom. The question remains: will Blaue face justice for allegedly turning a blind eye to the company that paid her bills?
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime