Woman Gets 27 Months for Embezzling $1M from NH Biz

CONCORD, NH - Suzan Harbinson, 52, of Goffstown, and an owner of ATA Martial Arts of Southern New Hampshire, LLC, in Bedford, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for stealing more than $1 million, according to U.S. Attorney Emily Gray Rice.

Harbinson worked as a part-time bookkeeper for Henry’s Collision Center in Manchester from January 2010 to January 2015. Part of her duties, according to a press statement, included preparing checks drawn on the company’s operating account for the company’s owner to sign.

From December 2010 to January 2015, Harbinson forged the owner’s signature on 145 checks that totaled $1,005,754.83.

In an effort to conceal her embezzlement scheme, Harbinson falsely reported in the company’s check register that the forged checks were “voided” due to mistakes she made while preparing them, according to Rice. Harbinson also stole $2,245 from the company by forging the company owner’s signature on three checks that were issued to “Cash,” negotiating the checks, and using the money for her personal benefit.

The forged checks were deposited by Harbinson to the martial art school’s bank account.

As the deposits were made, Harbinson caused checks drawn on the school’s account to be mailed to the school’s creditors and used the remainder of the stolen money for her personal benefit, according to rise.

In addition to the period of imprisonment, Chief United States District Court Judge Joseph Laplante ordered Harbinson to make restitution payments totaling $1,007,999.83 to the victim.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by AUSA Robert M. Kinsella.