State police arrest owner of construction company for alleged embezzlement

CHARLESTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island State Police said that the co-owner of a construction company was arrested on Jan. 2 for alleged “fraudulent activities.”

Ann Marie Goddard, 54, was charged with embezzlement and fraudulent conversion, unlawful appropriation, and obtaining money/property by false pretenses or impersonation.

State police said that the arrest was the result of a “months-long investigation” into fraudulent and deceptive activities related to a construction project that her company, Exodus Construction, had undertaken.

Goddard allegedly misappropriated $98,075 in funds from Exodus Construction accounts and engaged in fraudulent activities, including transferring money into her personal accounts and using the money for non-business-related expenditures.

Goddard was arraigned on Wednesday and was granted a bail amount of $5,000 with surety.