Southington Woman Sentenced In 6-Figure Embezzlement Case

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A Southington woman has been given a two-year prison sentence in a six-figure embezzlement case, a federal prosecutor said.

John H. Durham, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that Lydia Cabrera, 37, of Southington, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling $370,000 from her employer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately August 2016 to August 2018, Cabrera was employed by A2Z Home Medical Supplies as a bookkeeper. As part of her job responsibilities, Cabrera was given access to A2Z's online merchant payment system, Durham said.

Approximately 10 days after being hired by A2Z, Cabrera began to use A2Z's online merchant payment system to steal from the company by falsely representing that customers of A2Z had sought a return of their funds, case records indicate.

On approximately 272 occasions, Cabrera input her personal debit card information as the card to which the funds should be returned, according to case records. Through the scheme, Cabrera embezzled approximately $370,000, Durham said.

Judge Meyer ordered Cabrera to make full restitution to A2Z.

Prior to working for A2Z, Cabrera worked as a bookkeeper for a home health care aid company. Between April 2015 and July 2016, Cabrera stole approximately $68,000 from the company, Durham said. The fraud scheme was prosecuted in state court, he added.

In advance of her sentencing in the $68,000 matter, Cabrera submitted to the state court fictitious character letters from A2Z colleagues in an attempt to obtain leniency at sentencing, Durham said.

Cabrera was arrested on March 1, 2019. On Oct. 23, 2019, she pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.

Cabrera, who has been released on bond since the date of her guilty plea, is required to report to prison on Jan. 5, 2021, Durham said.