Evergreen Reporter

Jennifer LaBonte, a 45-year-old resident of Essex Junction, Vermont, has been sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud. The sentencing took place on Monday at the United States District Court in Rutland. U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier ordered LaBonte to serve a one-year supervised release following her prison term. Additionally, she must pay $192,675 in restitution and a $7,500 fine. The court acknowledged that LaBonte had already fulfilled her restitution obligation prior to sentencing. She is required to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by May 6.

LaBonte was charged with wire fraud last October when the United States Attorney filed an information against her. According to this filing, LaBonte worked for automobile dealerships in Burlington from 2001 until January 2024, holding the position of office manager since about 2012. Her role included oversight of accounting matters and check-signing authority.

The charge detailed that starting no later than 2013, LaBonte embezzled funds from the dealerships by stealing cash receipts and issuing checks for personal use. She attempted to conceal these actions by falsifying entries in the dealerships' computerized accounting systems. Her fraudulent activities were discovered by an officer at the dealerships in January 2024, leading to her immediate termination. The total loss due to her embezzlement amounted to approximately $192,000.

Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their investigative work on this case.

LaBonte's legal representation is provided by Brooks McArthur, Esq., while Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples serves as the prosecutor.