TROY, NY – Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen reported that Debra I. Powers, 64, of Troy, New York, pleaded guilty on January 19 to charges of grand larceny and criminal tax fraud. The guilty plea was entered before Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III.
Powers admitted to using a company-issued credit card for personal purchases while employed at Cascades, Inc. in Waterford, New York. The total value of these unauthorized transactions over a five-year span reached $548,993. Investigations by Cascades, Inc., Harter Secrest & Emery, LLP, and the Financial Crimes Unit of the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit uncovered that Powers concealed her actions by falsifying business expense claims.
In addition to grand larceny, Powers acknowledged in her plea that she failed to report the income from these illicit purchases on her state tax returns. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance investigation found that Powers evaded $35,552 in taxes. She now faces the responsibility of paying this amount back, along with additional penalties and interest.
At her sentencing, scheduled for April 19, Powers is expected to receive a 2 1/3 to 7-year prison term for the grand larceny charge and a one-year term for criminal tax fraud. These sentences are likely to be served concurrently. As part of her plea agreement, Powers will also be ordered to pay restitution to Cascades, Inc. and settle her tax liabilities with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.