HR manager accused of stealing $84,000 from Menands family business

A Latham woman is accused of stealing more than $84,000 from a Menands business. The betrayal of trust has affected the family business.

Police say Kacie Sweeney of Latham stole the money from Gerome Technologies.

Gerome is a family business, built up over the years from humble beginnings to about 80 employees now.

"A lot of it has to do with the people that we’ve brought in to work with us. We work really well as a team," said Tim Whalen, with Gerome Technologies.

So the theft stung.

Sweeney was hired as an HR manager in 2019 and helped with payroll. However, police say she regularly paid herself extra, and started stealing shortly after she started working for the company.

"Made herself bonuses, double checks, personal time put in for. Vacation payouts, 16 vacation payouts to herself, then retro pay," said Menands Police Chief Frank Lacosse.

Gerome does major insulation components for large generators.

During the pandemic, the manufacturing company was deemed essential, and they pulled together. All during that time, police say Sweeney was stealing.

"In light of that, it’s a little bit depressing, you know, to know that we’re all in this together, we’re all pulling together, we’re doing what we have to do to move forward for us, for our families, for the whole town, and then one person decides ‘I want more.’ So it’s a little depressing, you know," Whalen said.

Whalen also thanks investigators for their work on this case.

"We did use, the DA’s Office used their forensic accountant, and they do a very thorough job," said Lacosse.

Sweeney is charged with felony grand larceny.

Whalen and his family don’t want to see this happen to other hardworking people. Meanwhile, police say more charges are possible.