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Darien Woman Indicted In Theft Of $800K From Veterans Service Group

DARIEN, Conn. -- A Darien woman charged with embezzling $800,000 from a veterans service organization has been indicted on federal fraud and tax evasion charges.

Cynthia Tanner has been indicted on federal fraud and tax evasion charges after police said she embezzled $800,000 from a Darien-based veteran service nonprofit.

Cynthia Tanner has been indicted on federal fraud and tax evasion charges after police said she embezzled $800,000 from a Darien-based veteran service nonprofit.

Photo Credit: Darien Police Department

Cynthia Tanner, 53, was arrested in June 2014 on first-degree larceny charges after Darien police said she embezzled money from the National Veteran Services Fund, a Darien-based nonprofit where she worked as a bookkeeper.

On Thursday U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly announced a federal grand had jury additionally indicted Tanner on five counts of wire fraud and five counts of tax evasion. Tanner could face up to 100 years in federal prison those charges.

The fund provides social services and medical assistance to veterans of the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars and their families, with a focus on families with disabled children. Tanner was hired as a bookkeeper in 2008 and was responsible for payroll and distribution of the organization's money, officials said.

According to the indictment, between January 2009 and June 2014, Tanner used $800,000 in NVSF money to pay for personal expenses for herself and family members, officials said.

She also altered records to conceal her embezzlement and said the money was being paid out to veterans, according to police. The indictment also alleges Tanner did not report $794,768 in embezzled income on her federal tax returns, resulting in a tax loss $270,026.

The five counts of wire fraud carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years on each count. The five counts of tax evasion carries a maximum prison sentence of five years on each count. Tanner has been detained since her arrest June 2.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the Darien Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

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