District Attorney Shugrue’s Office
Date: January 30, 2023
Contact: Julia Sabouirn, Director of Community Engagement and Communications, 413-884-3000
(Pittsfield) On Monday, January 30th, Heidi Kushi (83 Egremont Ave, Pittsfield: 57 years old) pleaded guilty in Superior Court for two counts of larceny by single scheme (indited in July 2019). The defendant was sentenced to 2 to 5 years in state prison, both counts concurrent, by honorable Judge Agostini. A victim’s impact statement was read at the sentencing by Lisa Donovan, with her husband at her side.
Ms. Kushi, who began working for Donovan Construction in June 2013 as their accountant/bookkeeper, stole $138,772.72 during her time at the company. From June 1, 2013, to the date she was terminated, April 27, 2018, Ms. Kushi overpaid herself totaling approximately $38,000. From 2017 the date of termination, Ms. Kushi used the Donovan Construction bank account to pay off credit cards including cards in her elderly mother’s name with the defendant identified as an authorized user. In April 2018 Thomas and Lisa Donovan began reviewing their books, identified there was an issue, and called the Pittsfield Police Department.
District Attorney Shugrue stated, “This was a long time coming for the Donovan family. We are happy to have a positive result in the case; however, it doesn’t take away from the pain- emotional and financial- that this individual caused the Donovan’s, both in business and in their personal life. She had to be held accountable.”
Assistant District Attorney Melissa Brooks, who handled the case, indicated that this was a good outcome for the community and the victims.