The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Susan Blaue, 39, of Woodstock, pleaded not guilty today in United States District Court in Burlington to charges that she stole money from her former employer. Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss released Blaue on conditions pending trial.
On March 29, 2017, a federal grand jury in Rutland returned a three-count indictment charging Blaue with forgery, mail fraud and credit card fraud. According to the indictment, between 2012 and early 2015, Blaue was employed by ABLE Waste Management and two related companies in Plymouth. Beginning in early 2013, Blaue served as a bookkeeper for the companies, handling accounts receivables and payables and the companies payroll. Although she did not have check signing authority on the companies accounts, she did have access to a signature stamp of the companies owner, who was a signer.
According to the indictment, beginning in approximately April 2013 and continuing through the end of her employment in January 2015, Blaue stole approximately $130,000 from ABLE Waste Management and the related companies. The indictment alleges she did this by issuing many checks to herself without authorization, forging the owners signature on the checks or using the signature stamp without permission, then depositing the checks into her own bank account. Blaue also assertedly used company funds to pay her personal bills, and used ABLE credit cards to make purchases for herself. In addition, it is alleged that Blaue used company funds to pay the rent on the company-owned house she lived in while employed by ABLE.
The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty.
If convicted, Blaue faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Windsor County Sheriffs Office.
Blaue is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender David McColgin. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.
--DOJ District of Vermont
Source: U.S. Secret Service