A former office manager from Attleboro has pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling more than $400,000 from her employer, a Franklin-based environmental services company.
Marie Hobson, 54, admitted to two counts of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return during her plea hearing on October 15, 2025. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper set sentencing for January 22, 2026. Hobson was charged earlier in the month.
According to federal prosecutors, between December 2019 and March 2025, Hobson increased her own payroll by submitting approximately $268,046 in false expense reimbursements. These included claims for uniform costs even though she did not wear a uniform as part of her job. She also manipulated the company’s accounting software to hide the extra payments and make it appear that she was only receiving her regular salary.
Authorities said Hobson used a company-issued credit card for personal expenses such as country club memberships, vacations, cruises, timeshares, and costs related to her personal residence totaling over $105,000.
Hobson did not report the embezzled funds on her federal income tax returns for tax years 2021 through 2024. This omission led to an estimated tax loss of about $81,000.
The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of filing a false tax return can result in up to three years in prison and a similar fine. Sentencing will be determined by the court based on federal guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas E. Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today.” The Franklin Police Department assisted with the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rilwan Adeduntan from the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
