That Trusted Employee May Be Ripping You Off —Michelson

Last May, I wrote an editorial about Albert Gehly, owner of Vermont Graphics in Bellow Falls, VT. He had to come out of semi-retirement and lay off employees to help keep his business afloat after learning that his part-time bookkeeper embezzled more than $700,000 from his shop during a 14-year time frame. Similar to the other cases mentioned above, Gehly is doubtful he will receive much, if any, restitution. Almost as galling is the lackadaisical stance typically taken by authorities and court systems in even wanting to investigate and prosecute these type of white-collar crimes. Claiming that court dockets are overburdened with more serious, violent crimes, prosecutors are inclined to work out pre-trial plea agreements that often result in light prison sentences for the perpetrators.