CONCORD – LaSaundra Simmons, 51, of North Carolina, pleaded guilty on May 20 to embezzling more than half a million dollars from her former employer, Farwell Funeral Service in Nashua.

Simmons was employed as Farwell’s bookkeeper from 2015 to 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.

During the eight-year period, there were more than 100 instances when Simmons used electronic wire transfers or check deposits to siphon money from the funeral home to her personal bank account. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Simmons would justify the check transactions by labeling them as “commissions” or “consulting fees.” For one transaction, Simmons went so far as to label it as a “Christmas 2016 Bonus.”

Simmons now faces one count of wire fraud. Under federal law, she could face up to 20 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. She would also be required to make full restitution.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 29.