BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont woman who admitted to embezzling $2.2 million from her employer has been sentenced to over four years in prison.
Federal prosecutors say that between 2007 and 2017, Jennifer Dwyer disguised transfers of company money to a personal account as business expenses.
Jim Choinere, the owner of Northeast Agriculture Sales in Lyndonville, where Dwyer worked as a bookkeeper, told WCAX-TV after the trial that he felt justice had been served.
Choinere says that he has had to delay his retirement and take out loans to keep the business open.
Dwyer apologized to the family in court and said she was in a “vicious cycle” and could only stop if she was caught. She said she spent the money primarily on online gambling. Prosecutors found she also bought a pickup truck, a camper and paid personal debts.
Dwyer’s assets were liquidated and covered just 4% of what she stole — $85,000. Dwyer is set to be sent to federal prison next month and must pay 10% of her income to help cover restitution. Prosecutors say it is unlikely the family will get all the money back.
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