An Essex Junction woman, Jennifer LaBonte, 45, was sentenced to four months in federal prison for wire fraud after embezzling nearly $192,000 from the auto dealerships where she worked, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced on Wednesday.
LaBonte was sentenced on March 17 in U.S. District Court in Rutland. She had worked for Burlington-area automobile dealerships from 2001 until her termination in January 2024, serving as the office manager from 2012 onward. In her role, LaBonte was responsible for overseeing accounting, processing financial transactions, and had check-signing authority.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that LaBonte began embezzling funds as early as 2013. Her primary method of theft involved stealing cash receipts from customers, but she also wrote unauthorized checks to herself for personal expenses. To conceal her actions, LaBonte manipulated accounting entries and altered transaction logs.
The scheme was uncovered by a dealership officer in January 2024, which led to LaBonte’s immediate termination. Her fraudulent activities caused a total loss of approximately $192,000 over more than a decade.
U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier ordered LaBonte to pay $192,675 in restitution, along with a $7,500 fine. She must also report to the Bureau of Prisons on May 6 to begin serving her sentence. Prior to her sentencing, LaBonte had already paid the full restitution.
