Winsted Woman Sentenced On Larceny and Forgery Charges

A Winsted woman convicted of stealing more than $850,000.00 while working as a secretary and bookkeeper for an Avon business was sentenced today in Hartford Superior Court to 63 months in prison.

Sheila Grochowski, age 74, of 116 Smith Hill Road, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, suspended after 63 months served, followed by four years of probation. Grochowski pleaded guilty in February 2020 to charges of one count of Larceny in the First Degree and two counts of Forgery in the Second Degree.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Grochowski stole $851,811.65 between January 6, 2010 and May 31, 2016 while employed by Barbara Hance and Associates, Inc. of Avon, which served as conservator or had power of attorney for clients deemed unable to handle their financial affairs.

Upon learning that a theft had occurred, Hance contacted the Avon Police Department which began investigating the case. Ultimately, with the assistance of an inspector and forensic accountant from the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, it was learned that Grochowski made a total of 593 fraudulent transactions from 29 client bank accounts, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

The case was prosecuted by the Statewide Prosecution Bureau of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney in Rocky Hill.