Derby Line Woman Pleads Guilty To Fraud And False Tax Filing

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Amy C. Fletcher, age 44, of Derby Line, Vermont, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Brattleboro to committing wire fraud and filing a false tax return.

Fletcher admitted in court that while working for Derby Line Ambulance (“DLA”) during 2009-2012, she embezzled money from the company to pay personal expenses.  She also admitted filing a false 2011 tax return with the Internal Revenue Service.

Fletcher admitted engaging “in an ongoing practice of diverting funds from DLA for personal use, paying personal credit cards and home and car loans.”  She admitted drawing over 400 checks on DLA’s business accounts, making them payable to herself and others for her benefit.  She admitted that such transfers paid down outstanding balances on her 14 credit cards.  The government stated at the change of plea hearing that, during the time period in question, DLA had business receipts of over $1.5 million, out of which Fletcher diverted over $250,000.   Fletcher’s counsel responded that the total amount of stolen funds might be contested at sentencing.

   Fletcher also admitted filing a false IRS 1040 tax return in 2011, understating her
income and her taxes due.  Her filing was accompanied by a written declaration that it was accurate, while she knew it was false.

U.S. District Court Judge J. Garvan Murtha ordered a presentence investigation, and scheduled a sentencing hearing on December 17, 2015.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The maximum possible penalty for the two offenses is 20 years in prison for the wire fraud, and three years for the false tax filing. Fletcher is represented by attorney David Sleigh of St. Johnsbury.  The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Darrow.