CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Cabell County man has pleaded guilty to laundering money through a nonprofit veterinary clinic over a two-year period.
Jerod Vannater, 43, of Barboursville, stole $624,599.86 through embezzlement while he managed the clinic from October 2022 through December 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney for Southern West Virginia’s Office. Vannater admitted to transferring payroll and unearned deposits into his personal accounts using checks from the clinic’s bank account. Vannater falsified invoices for further payments, federal officials said.
Vannater reportedly used the money garnered through the scheme for online gambling, which he told officials that he was addicted to. Federal officials said that Vannater lost the money embezzled in the scheme to gambling.
He’ll be sentenced on February 16 next year. Vannater faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and will be fined up to $250,000. Vannater will also be ordered to pay $624,599.86 in restitution.