Feds: Haverhill Woman Stole $1 Million From Employer; Bought Cruise Tickets, Vintage Cars
HAVERHILL (CBS) - A Haverhill woman was indicted on wire fraud charges this week, accused of stealing close to $1 million from a Massachusetts-based information technology staffing company.
The U.S. Attorney's office says Anita Allen, 34, used the money for day-to-day living expenses, travel, and the purchase of several vintage automobiles.
Allen worked as an accounts payable specialist at the business she's accused of ripping off. The U.S. Attorney's office did not name the company where she worked.
Investigators say she directed dozens of money transfers from an unused company PayPal account to her own PayPal account before sending it to her personal bank account.
She's also accused of using the company credit card to purchase multiple cruises on Norwegian Caribbean Lines and items at retailers including Amazon.com and The Disney Store.
The alleged fraud scheme went on for about five years. In order to cover it up, Allen is accused of doctoring monthly credit card statements and falsifying entries in the accounting journals she was in charge of maintaining.
She faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors also want to force her to forfeit the classic cars she allegedly bought with the money.
The feds say those cars include a 1951 Chevrolet Fleetline sedan, a 1965 Factory Replica Cobra roadster, a 1967 Ford Mustang coupe, and a 1970 Dodge Challenger.
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