She stole $1.6 million from the public
and now an office manager is heading to jail.
Joyce Bellavance was sentenced Tuesday
to 3.5 years behind bars as part of a plea deal on federal wire fraud and money
laundering charges. Bellavance embezzled from the Hardwick Electric Department.
Prosecutors say she spent the money on a condo in Boston, a luxury SUV and
paying bills for her daughters.
The theft went on for ten years before
the electric department caught on.
Along with the jail time,
Bellavance was ordered to pay back $1.1 million to Hardwick Electric and
$500,000 to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. The government is also
working to seize assets funded by Bellavance's crimes, including her Hardwick
home.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-06-19 23:44:29 GMT
Vermont State Police say two men were found dead in Peacham. Police were called to a home on Slack Road for a report of shots fired and a missing man.More >>
A frightening scene for folks in Peacham Wednesday, as police launched a massive search after an apparent murder-suicide. Investigators spent the day trying to figure out what happened.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:12:23 GMT
A big drug sweep in Springfield this morning targeted drug dealers.More >>
Dozens of alleged drug dealers are behind bars after police conducted a large drug sweep throughout Windsor County. WCAX's Jennifer Reading was with police and got exclusive access during Wednesday's roundup.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:36 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:36:22 GMT
Burlington police are investigating a hit-and-run accident. Police say Monday at 4:10 p.m., a woman was walking in the crosswalk at College St. near the Waterman Building at UVM, when she was hit by anMore >>
Police are asking the public for help identifying the suspect in a hit-and-run accident on College Street in Burlington.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:32:09 GMT
A Vermont woman accused of giving drugs to a woman who overdosed and died and a man who overdosed and survived has been sentenced to 60 days on a work crew.More >>
A Vermont woman accused of giving drugs to a woman who overdosed and died and a man who overdosed and survived has been sentenced to 60 days on a work crew.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:03 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:03:21 GMT
A former Customs Agent will sell more more than 150 guns that were seized from his Brattleboro home during a 2011 raid. Special Agent Richard Bernholz pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to filingMore >>
A former Customs Agent will sell more more than 150 guns that were seized from his Brattleboro home during a 2011 raid.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:54:38 GMT
A propane leak forced evacuations in St. Albans Wednesday. Investigators say someone was operating a hydraulic lift at a property on Lakeshore Drive when the top of an underground tank was clipped, causingMore >>
Several homes in St. Albans were evacuated Wednesday after an underground tank was damaged and started to leak.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-06-19 23:48:02 GMT
"At 0.05 you are already impaired. The danger of being on the road is real," said Rep. Bill Lippert, D-Hinesburg. State Representative Bill Lippert thinks the current standard to determine if someone isMore >>
A Vermont lawmaker wants to cut the legal limit for drunk driving nearly in half. Proponents say the proposal will save lives; opponents say it will kill business.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:26 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:26:16 GMT
All three members of Vermont's congressional delegation now have written letters supporting the efforts of immigrant activist Danilo Lopez to avoid deportation and stay in the United States.More >>
All three members of Vermont's congressional delegation now have written letters supporting the efforts of immigrant activist Danilo Lopez to avoid deportation and stay in the United States.More >>
Joyce Bellavance
