UPDATE: Larose Woman Charged with 126 Additional Counts of Theft and Forgery

Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Larose woman arrested earlier this month for stealing from her former employer was charged with 126 additional counts of theft and forgery as part of the ongoing investigation which began on April 4, 2016. Dorena Richardelle (age 39) was booked on the additional charges on Sunday, April 24.

A South Lafourche business owner contacted detectives on April 4 to open the investigation. Through investigation, detectives learned that while Richardelle was employed by the business, she had written several checks to a former employee of the business, but she never sent the checks to the individual. Instead, she deposited the checks into her own account.

Detectives initially discovered 36 instances in which Richardelle forged signatures in order to steal over $100,000 from the business. Further investigation revealed 126 additional instances, or a total of 162 instances, in which she forged signatures on checks to other employees. In all, the forgeries involved 21 employees, and over $200,000 was stolen.

Richardelle was initially arrested on April 7 when she admitted to her involvements. At that time, she was charged with 36 counts of Forgery and 36 counts of Felony Theft, and she was also booked on an outstanding warrant for Issuing Worthless Checks. On Sunday, April 24, she was booked with an additional 126 counts of Felony Theft and 126 counts of Forgery. Her bond is now set at $150,100.

Dorena Richardelle
Dorena Richardelle
UPDATE: Larose Woman Charged with 126 Additional Counts of Theft and Forgery