Ardsley Resident, 45, Accused of Embezzling $335,000, Says District Attorney

Ardsley resident Gretchen Wauchope, 45, was arraigned Wednesday on embezzlement charges in connection with the alleged theft of $335,000 from the Pelham Country Club where she worked as controller, Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced.

“As alleged in the Complaint, this defendant took advantage of her position, as well as her employer’s trust, to divert more than a $335,000 dollars in unauthorized withdrawals to her own accounts,” said DiFiore in a statement. “Once again, this case, like so many others involving breaches of trust by an employee and having taken place over a long period of time, demonstrates the importance of conducting proper due diligence, especially overseeing employees who have access to finances.”

Wauchope was arraigned on a three count Complaint charging her with:

• one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony,
• two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, class “E” Felonies.

According to DiFiore, from January 1, 2010 through February 28, 2015 Wauchope ”systematically embezzled funds” from the country club. She allegedly drew and negotiated checks from the bank account of Pelham Country Club payable to herself and other third persons and initiated electronic payments from the Pelham Country Club’s bank account to pay personal credit card debts.

The aggregate amount stolen in the larceny is approximately $335,000.

Additionally, Wauchope failed to pay New York State Income Tax on the monies that she stole from the Country Club including the time period from October 15, 2011, where she failed to file a New York State tax return for tax year 2010, according to DiFiore. Wauchope also failed to file a New York State tax return for tax year 2012.

The larceny was discovered following an internal investigation by Pelham Country Club who then referred the matter of the District Attorney’s Office.

Investigators from the District Attorney’s office arrested the defendant yesterday and she was arraigned in the Village of Pelham Justice Court.

Bail was set at $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond.

Wauchope’s next appearance will be on August 13, 2015, and she faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Mayes of the Economic Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case.

Photo: Gretchen Wauchope. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney’s office