Gretchen Wauchope has been charged with second-degree larceny and two counts of criminal tax fraud for allegedly embezzling about $335,000 from the club between January 2010 and February 2015.
Former controller Gretchen Wauchope is accused of swindling more than $300,000 from the Pelham (N.Y.) Country Club over the course of several years, the New York, N.Y.-based CBS 2 reported.
Wauchope is charged with second-degree grand larceny and two counts of criminal tax fraud. According to Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore, Wauchope embezzled funds from the country club over a five-year period between January 2010 and February 28, 2015, CBS reported.
Wauchope allegedly drew and negotiated checks from the club’s bank account payable to herself and other third persons. She’s also accused of sending electronic payments from the club’s account to pay personal credit card debts. The total amount stolen, according to the district attorney, is about $335,000, CBS reported.
“As alleged in the Complaint, this defendant took advantage of her position, as well as her employer’s trust, to divert more than a $335,000 in unauthorized withdrawals to her own accounts,” DiFiore said.
Additionally, DiFiore said Wauchope didn’t pay state income tax on the money she stole and failed to file a state tax return in 2010 and 2012, CBS reported.
“Once again, this case, like so many others involving breaches of trust by an employee and having taken place over a long period of time, demonstrates the importance of conducting proper due diligence, especially overseeing employees who have access to finances,” DiFiore said.
The district attorney’s office said Pelham Country Club’s own internal investigation uncovered the scheme and notified authorities. Wauchope was arraigned on Tuesday and bail was set at $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, CBS reported.
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