Ex-employee sentenced for six-figure theft
A woman who worked for Valley Bulk Transport Inc. for two years as a payroll controller was sentenced Friday to 11 1/2 months in jail and ordered to repay the approximately $200,000 she admitted to stealing from her employer.
Carrie Ann Ammons-Daviduk, 40, of North Franklin Township, who told the court she is now a cook at a fast-food restaurant, will likely have the opportunity for work release from the county jail.
She was also charged with forging the signature of John Washabaugh, president of the company, and she apologized in court for violating his trust. She said she is seeing both a psychiatrist and certified counselor. Ammons-Daviduk’s attorney gave the judge letters written on her behalf. “I appreciate that you’re making an apology, but I expect you to make them whole by paying restitution and continue to abstain from alcohol,” said Judge John DiSalle.
was present in court to present what is known as a victim impact statement.
“It’s affected me big,” Washabaugh told the judge. “We’ve lost a number of accounts we had served for years … I was told payments were being made when payments weren’t being made.” He told of employees who thought their health insurance premiums had been paid through their workplace. After medical appointments, they learned their claims had been denied.
The Chartiers Township firm employs 25, and DiSalle inquired if Washabaugh had to lay off workers because of Ammons-Daviduk’s actions. Washabaugh said that was not the case. Valley Bulk Transport had theft insurance, but its policy covered just $25,000 of the $209,471 theft.
Along with serving a jail sentence, Ammons-Daviduk must remain on probation for 10 years on related charges.
Washabaugh did not seem optimistic about his prospect of Ammons-Daviduk repaying him.
“I’ll never see a penny,” he said after the sentencing hearing. “I’m sure it’s a slap on the wrist.”