North Carolina Woman Sentenced to Seven Years for Embezzling Nearly Half a Million from Pennsylvania Employer

A North Carolina woman has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for orchestrating a scheme that siphoned hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer in Pennsylvania. The sentencing concludes a multi-agency investigation into a case of wire fraud and money laundering carried out over more than a year.

Rhonda Rochelle Canidate, 49, of Greensboro, was sentenced on April 15, 2025, to 84 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Kelli M. Neary. Canidate was convicted of wire fraud and money laundering after authorities determined she embezzled $480,033.12 from Henry Molded Products Company, based in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where she worked as an accounting specialist.

Between March 2021 and July 2022, Canidate exploited her position by manipulating the company’s payroll software. From October 2021 through June 2022, she created fraudulent payment entries under the names of former employees. These entries triggered direct deposit payments from Henry Molded’s bank accounts into accounts she controlled. The fraudulent scheme not only defrauded the company, but also adversely affected the tax status of the former employees whose names were used in the transactions.

In addition to the prison sentence, Canidate has been ordered to pay full restitution of the embezzled amount. The Internal Revenue Service conducted the investigation, noting the added complexity of tax law violations typically associated with such financial crimes. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Williams.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

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