United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

HADDAM MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGE

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SCOTT TRUDEL, age 30, of 391 Plains Road, Haddam, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today to embezzling and converting $103,534 belonging to the United States. TRUDEL admitted his guilt before United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport.

During the court proceeding, TRUDEL admitted that while employed as a paralegal for a law firm in Clinton, Connecticut, he embezzled and converted veterans benefit payments and social security benefit payments from the United States. Specifically, as part of his law practice, TRUDEL's employer acted as a conservator or representative payee for numerous veterans. TRUDEL was entrusted to ensure that such veterans received proper benefit payments. TRUDEL admitted that, instead, he embezzled and converted monies received by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security Administration for his own personal gain and enjoyment and not for the benefit of the veterans. As part of the plea agreement, TRUDEL has agreed to make full restitution of the monies stolen.

TRUDEL faces up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by Judge Hall on November 30, 2004.

This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov