Woman Faces Five Years in Prison For Stealing Money from Hamilton Sundstrand

A 47-year-old Bristol woman faces five years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to bilking more than $200,000 from Hamilton Sundstrand in 2005 and 2006.

Karin Morneault pleaded guilty to first-degree larceny in Hartford Superior Court. The plea agreement calls for a sentence of 10 years suspended after five served and five years probation. She must also pay restitution. Morneault’s attorney has a right argue for a lesser term at her sentencing on August 22.

Prosecutor Edward Narus said Morneault had been an employee in the human resources department of Hamilton Sundstrand in Windsor Locks. Through its parent company, United Technologies Co., Hamilton had a program where employees could take advanced classes on various topics to improve their work skills and be reimbursed for the fees by the company. Those classes were also available to former employees who were laid off, Narus said.

Morneault claimed to have enrolled in 56 classes, after she was laid off, and filed paperwork to be reimbursed for $201,093. Company officials found that none of the classes existed and she admitted filing false transcripts and other paperwork as proof she took the classes, Narus said.

Judge David P. Gold said Thursday that during pre-trial discussions it was relayed to him that Morneault would be unable to any substantial restitution. Gold said with that information she is likely to be sentence close to if not the whole term in prison recommended by the state.

Gold said he agreed to a long continuance to Morneault’s sentencing to allow her time to amass as much money for restitution as she can before heading to prison.