Former Ridge Aide Pleads Guilty to $1.1 Million Embezzlement

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that Lauretta S. Simmons, age 44, of Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud regarding the embezzlement of approximately $1.1 million from a Harrisburg based real estate development company. Simmons faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines of to $2.2 million as a result of her guilty plea before United States District Court Judge William W. Caldwell.

Simmons was employed as an administrative assistant by Joseph V. Sweeney and Associates (“JVS”) between 1999 and January 2009. Simmons was responsible for the JVS bank account, including making deposits and writing checks. Simmons admitted today that between January 2006, and January 2009, she embezzled $1.1 million from the JVS bank account by issuing unauthorized checks, causing unauthorized wire transfers and converting checks issued to a JVS related company known as Arcus Properties to herself. The money was used by Simmons to purchase expensive items including various vacation properties, vehicles, gold and silver coins and jewelry. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Simmons has agreed to forfeit all the proceeds from the crime and make restitution for any balance that remains outstanding.

In May 2000, Simmons pleaded guilty in federal court to mail fraud in connection with the embezzlement of approximately $93,500 from the Ridge-Schweiker Campaign. When the offense was discovered in 1998, Simmons was the Deputy Campaign Manager and responsible for raising campaign contributions. She converted campaign contribution checks to her personal use in that case. In October 2000, Judge Caldwell sentenced Simmons to a year and a day of imprisonment, two years of supervised release and ordered her to pay $93,500 in restitution.

The current case was investigated by the FBI and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Bruce Brandler.