Woman Accused Of Stealing Over $300,000 From Pelham Country Club
PELHAM MANOR, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Westchester County woman is accused of swindling more than $300,000 from the Pelham Country Club over the course of several years.
Gretchen Wauchope, of Ardsley, is charged with second-degree grand larceny and two counts of criminal tax fraud.
According to Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore, Wauchope embezzled funds from the country club over a five-year period between January, 2010 and Feb., 28, 2015.
Wauchope, who was the club's controller, allegedly drew and negotiated checks from the country club's bank account payable to herself and other third persons. She's also accused of sending electronic payments from the club's account to pay personal credit card debts.
The total amount stolen, according to the district attorney, is about $335,000.
"As alleged in the Complaint, this defendant took advantage of her position, as well as her employer's trust, to divert more than a $335,000 in unauthorized withdrawals to her own accounts," DA DiFiore said.
Additionally, DiFiore said Wauchope didn't pay state income tax on the money she stole and failed to file a state tax return in 2010 and 2012.
"Once again, this case, like so many others involving breaches of trust by an employee and having taken place over a long period of time, demonstrates the importance of conducting proper due diligence, especially overseeing employees who have access to finances," DiFiore said.
The district attorney's office said Pelham Country Club's own internal investigation uncovered the scheme and notified authorities.
Wauchope was arraigned on Tuesday and bail was set at $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Wauchope is due back in court on Thursday.