A New Hampshire contractor, 54-year-old Gerald Thibault, has been sentenced to as much as 30 years for theft of funds to make use of in playing exercise.
Thibault was sentenced on January 20 by the Rockingham County Superior Courtroom to between 10 and 30 years within the New Hampshire State Jail, after pleading responsible to 23 counts of Class A Felony Theft by Unauthorized Taking. The thefts happened throughout Rockingham and Strafford County, with Thibault utilizing his place because the proprietor of Thibault’s Handyman & Renovation Service, LLC and TR-Roofing LLC to take advance funds for work he by no means accomplished.
An investigation discovered that Thibault stole over $1.5 million from 23 victims upfront funds for his renovation companies, solely to by no means go on to fulfil the work contracts he agreed to. Thibault went on to make use of the cash taken from would-be clients to gamble, usually shortly after receiving them. He additionally solicited such funds whereas actively playing.
On eleven of the theft prices, Thibault was sentenced to between 7.5 and 15 years, with 2.5 years suspended from the minimal time period for 20 years after he’s launched from jail. The remaining twelve theft prices gave Thibault an extra sentence of between 7.5 and 15 years, as soon as once more with 2.5 years suspended from the minimal time period for 20 years after he’s launched from jail. These sentences are to be served consecutively, resulting in a complete time served of as much as 30 years.
Additional reparations for the thefts required
In addition to the jail time, Thibault has been ordered to repay all 23 victims in full, for a complete quantity of $1,532,961.54. He’s banned from playing till this sum has been returned, and isn’t allowed to simply accept advance funds for items and companies or to contact the victims.
Stratham contractor stole tens of millions, will get 10-30 years. Victims communicate. https://t.co/L5NFKSej7z
— Seacoastonline.com (@seacoastonline) January 17, 2026
Stealing to fund playing exercise is way from a uncommon crime, with one other particular person in Texas accused of stealing $680,000 from a former employer to unravel out-of-control playing money owed.
Featured picture: WMUR-TV
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