An East Hartford woman who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $1 million from the Mark Twain House & Museum was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison on Monday.
Donna Gregor, 58, was a long-term employee of the house and museum and her Linked In page lists her as the controller.
Between 2002 and 2010, she submitted false information online to the Mark Twain House’s payroll management vendor to have “advances” direct deposited into her personal bank account, according to the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Then, she adjusted the company ledger so it looked like the money was used for utilities, maintenance and similar items and falsified the Mark Twain House bank statements, according to court documents.
Gregor also wrote checks to herself, forged the signature of her supervisors, deposited the funds into her personal bank account, adjusted entries in the general ledger and falsified the bank statements, according to court records.
She embezzled approximately $1.08 million and spent the money on home improvements, theater tickets, dining out, mortgage payments, credit card payments and car payments, among other things, according to the U.S. Attorney. She also failed to pay $322,970 in federal taxes on those funds.
Gregor waived her right to indictment on Friday and pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return.
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“This case represents a breach of trust by a long-term employee of the Mark Twain House & Museum, a venerable Hartford landmark and institution of learning,” said U.S. Attorney David Fein.
Gregor could serve up to 23 years in prison and be fined of up to approximately $2 million.
She also will be ordered to pay restitution to the Mark Twain House and to the insurance company that has paid the Mark Twain House $500,000 as a result of the loss. She must also pay full restitution to the IRS, plus applicable interest and penalties.
