Massachusetts Woman Admits to Stealing From 2 Companies

A Leicester, Mass., woman has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $300,000 from two companies she worked for.

Kimberly Powell pleaded guilty Wednesday to larceny of more than $250, credit card fraud over $250 and making a false entry in corporate books. She is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Prosecutors say the 42-year-old Powell stole nearly $262,000 while working as an independent payroll and tax preparer for New England Industrial Engineering Inc. in 2006 and 2007.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that she also stole about $54,000 in 2010 and 2011 while working as a part-time bookkeeper at Westerman Store Equipment Inc.

Authorities say she added herself to the payroll at the first company and wrote checks to herself at the second.