District Attorney: Acton Theft and Sales 'Not a Victimless Crime'

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan weighed in on the conviction of a former Holden woman who bought items using her company's account and sold them online.

Kathryn Copeland, 45, of Riverview, Florida, was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for larceny over $250 and ordered to pay $81,000 in restitution. Following the plea, the sentence includes one year to serve with the balance suspended for five years, and five years probation from and after her jail sentence.

According to prosecutors, Copeland was hired in 2006 as the office manager of Student Transportation of America. The company is headquartered in New Jersey, but Copeland worked in the Acton office of the company.

Ryan said that in February 2012 Copeland resigned suddenly, telling her coworkers that she had a medical issue that forced her to move to Florida.

After Copeland left the company, however, STA discovered that Copeland had allegedly forged two checks and the business contacted the Acton Police Department.

Police discovered during their investigation that Copeland had used a company credit card to purchase items such as digital cameras, iPods, GPS systems, tablets, and a television that was shipped to a man in California as a gift, according to Ryan.

In addition, police also found that some of the electronic items had been sold over the Internet, mainly on eBay. 

The total number of unauthorized purchases, which were made between May 2009 and January 2012, added up to $81,000. In addition, the two forged checks were used to pay a credit card bill, which Ryan said was an attempt to cover up the illegal spending.

“This type of fraud is not a victimless crime; it affects businesses, honest employees, and customers," said Ryan. "With this plea the defendant has taken responsibility for her actions and will now pay restitution for her theft.”