Bank teller charged with embezzlement
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By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: June 29, 2009
BRATTLEBORO — A New Hampshire woman is facing charges she embezzled money from a Bellows Falls bank.
Jessica M. Knowlton, 40, of North Walpole, N.H., pleaded innocent Monday in Brattleboro District Court to a single felony count of embezzlement by a bank officer.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1,000 fine, and according to court documents, Windham County State's Attorney Tracy Kelly Shriver has not made any offer to resolve the case.
Knowlton is free without having to post bail on conditions she come to court and not consume alcohol.
According to an affidavit filed with the court, April 22, an investigator with TD Banknorth contacted Bellows Falls police to report an embezzlement case involving Knowlton at the branch in town where she worked as a teller.
According to the investigator, on March 3, Knowlton called to say she would not be coming to work. After receiving the call, the head teller counted Knowlton's drawer and found it was short more than $800.
According to affidavits filed in the case, on April 2, an accounting clerk ran an audit of Knowlton's drawer and found it was short more than $4,500. Knowlton did not have an explanation for why her drawer was short, police said. On April 15, an outside investigation firm performed a surprise audit and found Knowlton's drawer short $1,655.
On May 15, Bellows Falls police interviewed Knowlton, who reportedly confessed to embezzling $6,955 over a six-week period, affidavits state. Knowlton reportedly said she had financial difficulties — the specifics of which were not explained in court documents — and had intended to pay the money back but never had a chance because she was caught.
In addition to prison and fines, Knowlton might have to pay restitution to the bank if convicted.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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