UVM employee pleads guilty to embezzlement

A former University of Vermont employee has pleaded guilty to embezzling from the Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese, where she provided administrative support.

Jody Farnham, 55, of Burlington, who co-wrote a book on cheesemaking, pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling at least $185,000 over six years ending in 2012, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

Court documents say she was accused of altering tuition checks from enrollees in the cheesemaking program to make herself a co-payee and then depositing them in her bank account. She also stole some cash tuition payments and misused UVM credit cards for personal purchases, federal prosecutors said.

The embezzlement took place when UVM had received substantial amounts of federal funding, the U.S. attorney’s office said. The case was investigated by UVM police and the FBI.

Farnham, who was released on conditions, faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when she is sentenced in June.