Billie Preston Pleads Guilty To Embezzling From Williston Employer

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Billie Preston, 41, of Monkton, pleaded guilty on October 29, 2014, in United States District Court in Burlington to a charge of wire fraud.  Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss released Preston on conditions pending sentencing, which has been set for February 27.

According to court records, between approximately November 2011 and late April 2014, Preston was employed as a bookkeeper by Endyne, Inc., an environmental testing laboratory located in Williston.  Preston handled the company's payroll and accounts receivables and payables. 

Beginning in about January 2012 and continuing through the end of April 2014, Preston embezzled about $84,000 from Endyne, primarily by falsifying payroll records to cause the firm to issue her paychecks and make electronic funds transfers in excess of her authorized salary.  Preston also made electronic transfers of company funds to pay her personal bills.

Preston faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.  Her actual sentence will be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.

This case was investigated by the Williston Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Preston is represented by Robert Kaplan.  The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.