CONCORD, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – A former Keene woman plead guilty Tuesday in federal court to embezzling close to $500,000 from her employer between 2015 and 2021.

Stephanie Pratt, 39, who was charged with wire fraud, according to a news release from the N.H. District U.S. Attorney’s Office. U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty has set the sentencing date for Nov. 12.

During her tenure as the office administrator for a company based in Hinsdale, Pratt had unrestricted access to the company’s financial assets, including bank accounts and credit cards. Over a period of six and a half years, she systematically stole $492,325.34. Her methods included issuing unauthorized checks to herself, which she falsely recorded as legitimate vendor payments in the company’s accounting system.

Additionally, Pratt used company credit cards to make over 1,000 unauthorized personal purchases, including airfare, a smart TV, a hot tub, Patriots tickets, and various household items like herbs and spices. To cover up her fraudulent activities, she deleted the records of these credit card transactions from the statements that her employer received.

Wire fraud is a serious offense, carrying potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine that could reach $250,000 or twice the gross financial gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen.