Realtor board official faces embezzlement charges

An official for a small Realtor board in Vermont is facing embezzlement charges for allegedly ringing up about $30,000 worth of personal expenditures using a board credit and debit card, according to reports.

Piquette Scribner, 30, of Johnson, Vt., pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of embezzlement during an appearance last week in Lamoille District Court in Hyde Park, Vt., the Burlington Free Press newspaper reported. Scribner had reportedly served as association executive for the Lamoille board since 2004.

Lisa Burlinson, board president, and Sharon Bateman, board treasurer, said in a written statement to Stowe Police that board officials had “been pursuing the financial records of the board,” though Scribner had reportedly not been cooperative in turning over these records.

Scribner could not immediately be reached for comment today, and her court-appointed lawyer was also not immediately available for comment.

Bateman and Burlinson reported in their statement that Scribner turned over a board computer, credit card, debit card, bank statements and checkbook from her home upon their request, and they also have alleged in that “it was apparent that (board) funds have been used for personal expenditures” including “personal travel, clothing, groceries, mortgage expense, personal credit card, telephone, gas, auto repairs, restaurants.”

According to a report by the Stowe Reporter newspaper, Scribner faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, $1,500 in fines and restitution payments to the board if she is convicted.

The Vermont Association of Realtors, a statewide Realtor group, is reportedly providing temporary support for the local board, which has created a search committee to find a new executive.