Darien Woman Charged with Embezzling $800k from Veterans Organization

A Darien woman has been indicted on federal charges that she embezzled about $800,000 from a Connecticut-based veterans service organization.

The indictment alleges that Cynthia Tanner, 53, was employed as bookkeeper for the National Veterans Service Fund in Darien. The organization provides case managed social services and limited medical assistance to Vietnam and Persian Gulf War veterans and families.

Tanner allegedly used about $800,000 in funds from the organization to pay for personal expenses for herself and family members.

Its alleged that she altered records to cover-up her actions, according to the indictment.

She is also being charged with failing to report the funds as income, resulting in a tax loss of $270,026, the indictment alleges.

She has been charged with five counts of wire fraud, and five counts of tax evasion.

She has been detained since June of last year on related state charges.