July 13, 2009

EAST ARLINGTON, VERMONT WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO WIRE FRAUD AND FILING FALSE TAX RETURN

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Denise M. Hall, 51, of East Arlington, Vermont, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return in a hearing today before Chief Judge William K. Sessions III.

Hall admitted that while working for Rosemary Altea as office manager and bookkeeper during 2001-2008, she fraudulently took $120,000 - $200,000 from Altea and used it for personal expenses. She also admitted filing a false personal tax return for 2005.

Sentencing has been scheduled for October 26, 2009, after a presentence investigation is conducted. The maximum penalties are 20 years in prison for the wire fraud, and three years in prison for the tax fraud.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division and the United States Secret Service. Hall is represented by Bennington attorney David Silver. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Darrow.