U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
Vanessa Roberts Avery, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, has announced that Michele Devine, a 50-year-old resident of Waterford, has pleaded guilty to a fraud charge. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven. Devine admitted to embezzling funds from the Southeastern Regional Action Council on Substance Abuse, Inc. (SERAC), where she held the position of executive director.
Court documents and statements revealed that SERAC is a nonprofit organization based in Norwich, providing services related to substance abuse, problem gambling, and mental health across 41 towns in southeastern and northeastern Connecticut. The organization relies heavily on state and federal grants for funding, including contributions from Connecticut's Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Devine served as SERAC's executive director until July 2022. Starting around 2008, she reportedly used organizational funds for personal expenses unrelated to SERAC’s mission. These expenses included home appliances, travel costs, timeshare fees at a Connecticut resort, stays at Canyon Ranch in Massachusetts' Berkshires region, and private school donations.
The government alleges that Devine misappropriated nearly $400,000 from SERAC.
Devine pleaded guilty to wire fraud—a charge that carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Sentencing by Judge Meyer is set for January 13.
Devine was arrested on August 3, 2023. She remains free on a $25,000 bond while awaiting sentencing.
The investigation into this matter was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General. Assistance came from both the New London State’s Attorney’s Office and the State of Connecticut Office of the Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller is prosecuting the case.
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