Press Release  Former Office Manager Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Stealing Nearly $1 Million From Employer

BOSTON — A former office manager and executive secretary has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to three years in state prison in connection with stealing nearly $1 million from her employer, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Ann McHale, age 51, of Bath, New York, pleaded guilty today to the charges of Larceny Over $250 and Making False Entries in Corporate Books with Intent to Defraud (one count each) in Plymouth Superior Court.

After the plea was entered, Judge Kelley-Brown sentenced McHale to serve three years to three years and a day in state prison followed by two years of probation with the conditions that she stay away and have no contact with the victim, his family, home or his business. McHale was also ordered to pay restitution, which will be determined at a later date.

McHale served as an office manager and executive secretary from 2005 through 2014 for an energy and heating business located primarily in the South Shore region of the state. The AG’s Office began an investigation in December 2015 after a report was filed with the office by the business.

Authorities found that between 2008 and 2014, McHale made checks payable to herself or the business and forged signatures to deposit them into her own bank accounts. She also forged signatures on incoming checks payable to the business and its owner and would deposit those into her personal accounts.

In October 2014, the business discovered these larcenous schemes. The investigation by authorities revealed that she had embezzled approximately $932,461 between 2008 and 2014.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Kristyn Dusel, of AG Healey’s Gaming Enforcement Division, with assistance from Victim Witness Advocate Amber Anderson, of AG Healey’s Victim Witness Services Division. This case was investigated by Sallyann Nelligan, Director of AG Healey’s Financial Investigations Division, and Stephen Bethoney, formerly of AG Healey’s Financial Investigations Division, and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office.

###