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MARLBOROUGH, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A Marlborough woman who previously led a Keene mental health nonprofit has now pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing from the organization, according to prosecutors.
Christine Allen, 52 — also known as Christine Nowill and Christine Yardley — entered guilty pleas to three counts of wire fraud in U.S. District Court in Concord. Judge Steven J. McAuliffe has scheduled her sentencing for July 28, 2026.
Allen formerly served as executive director of Monadnock Peer Support, a Keene-based nonprofit that provides mental health services. In that role, she had broad control over the organization’s finances, including access to bank accounts, accounting systems, and spending tools such as debit cards and checks.
Federal authorities say that between January 2021 and May 2023, Allen diverted funds from the nonprofit for personal use. Court records indicate the money was spent on a range of items, including bedding, gaming and hockey equipment, clothing, and other personal purchases.
The case marks a significant development following earlier scrutiny surrounding the nonprofit’s financial management. Investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigation led the inquiry that resulted in the charges.
Each wire fraud count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, along with supervised release and financial penalties. However, any sentence will ultimately be determined by a federal judge based on established guidelines and the specifics of the case.