MARK RUMSEY PLEADS GUILTY TO DEFRAUDING ANICHINI, INC.

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Mark Rumsey, 41, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Burlington to a charge of mail fraud. Chief U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III released Rumsey on conditions pending sentencing, which has been set for May 7.

According to court records, Rumsey was hired in 2002 to be the assistant manager of the Los Angeles branch of Anichini, Inc, a Vermont-based company which sells linens and other household goods and furnishings. Beginning in about November 2004 and continuing until September 2006, Rumsey embezzled about $150,000 from his employer, primarily by altering the details of credit card purchases before the transactions were processed. As a result of Rumsey's fraudulent activity, the proceeds of the credit card sales were diverted to a bank account controlled by him rather than properly paid over to Anichini. Rumsey attempted to conceal the embezzlements by using the mails and private commercial carriers to transmit falsified inventory reports and other documentation to Anichini in Vermont. The embezzlement was discovered in September 2006 and Rumsey was immediately fired.

Rumsey faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence will be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.

This case was investigated by the Burlington office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Rumsey is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Elizabeth Mann. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.