Posted on 04/18/2014 2:52:42 PM PDT by Straight Vermonter
An arrest Friday in the case of a Vermont state employee accused of shopping with taxpayer dollars. Lisa Peduzzi of Plainfield is charged with embezzlement.
In a press conference, Gov. Peter Shumlin said there were 19 cases to date of possible fraud. Peduzzi is in state custody and police were searching her home Friday.
The governor called Peduzzi's alleged actions "fairly sophisticated deception and long-term fraud." He said, "I mean it was a fairly crafty and involved a scheme. It was not simply putting your fingers in the till and gabbing a couple of bucks."
Peduzzi worked for the Vermont Office of Risk Management for seven years. Her employment ended earlier this month.
As WCAX News first reported, Peduzzi was under investigation by police and the state for allegedly falsifying insurance claims and stealing state funds. The investigation started after a whistleblower from Michigan reported a liability claims adjuster within the Vermont Office of Risk Management tried to buy his $6,000 guitar online using a state of Vermont check.
Friday afternoon, Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn said there is evidence that Peduzzi created fake claims to buy guitars, boats, automobiles, guns and jewelry. Police believe she may have sold many of the items she bought. They want to hear from anyone who has done business with her.
Jennifer Reading will have much more on this story tonight on the Channel 3 News at 6 p.m.
Hey, under Socialism, your money is everyone’s money so why shouldn’t the employee be able to take taxpayer money to buy whatever she wants?
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