Darien police arrested the bookkeeper for a veterans’ service foundation on charges of embezzling more than $800,000.
Police said they received a complaint involving an employee at the National Veteran Services Fund (N.V.S.F.). Police said the president of the organization had been notified of problems in the organization’s books by an accounting firm. They determined that Cynthia Tanner, the organization’s bookkeeper, had been using organization funds for her personal use.
Initial estimates are that more than $830,000 was embezzled from the checking account alone over the past five years. According to its website, NVSF helps veterans by paying for equipment and services through donations to the organization.
Police said Tanner started at NVSF in 2008 and was responsible for payroll and disbursement of funds to clients. She is accused of writing unauthorized checks to herself and family members.
Police said in a statement:
“In 2013 alone, Tanner wrote 135 unauthorized checks for over $185,000.00 to herself and to her family members. According to the financial ledger that Tanner fabricated, these checks were written to veterans or clients of the N.V.S.F. It was also determined that Tanner was making electronic payments for her auto-loans and was using the company credit cards for personal expenses such as airfare, vacations, and internet purchases.”
Police charged Tanner with Larceny 1st Degree which is a Class B Felony. She is being held on a $250,000.00 bond and will be arraigned in Stamford Superior Court on Monday. Police expect further arrest warrants to be issued.