Actress Accused of Stealing $500K from Ex-Vegas Golden Knights Owner and Claims Bankruptcy
A well-known actress from the hit FX series "You're the Worst" is currently embroiled in a legal scandal involving allegations of embezzling a staggering $500,000 from an ex-owner of the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team. Jennifer Courtemanche, aged 45, has been accused of money laundering and theft, with claims suggesting she used the Apple Cash app to siphon $445,000 from her affluent former partner, Gavin Maloof, over a three-year period.
Despite residing in an upscale neighborhood in Los Angeles, Courtemanche has declared her financial destitution, asserting that she lacks the funds to secure legal representation. According to reports from 8 News Now in Las Vegas, the actress, who also works as a model, finds herself entangled in a legal battle without the means to defend herself adequately.
Living in a lavish enclave in Los Angeles, Courtemanche maintains that she is currently unemployed and devoid of any income source, as indicated in a court affidavit dated January 13. However, investigations by the news outlet revealed that as of the previous month, Courtemanche's listed address was situated in Marina Del Rey, an affluent coastal neighborhood in LA. Apartments in this area command a minimum monthly rent of $2,700, with some units boasting picturesque ocean views.
The allegations against Courtemanche suggest a collaboration with her associate, Brittany Burgess, in orchestrating the elaborate scheme to defraud Maloof, the former owner of the Vegas Golden Knights. The purported plan involved utilizing the Apple Cash platform to illicitly obtain funds from Maloof, with the initial incident dating back to December 2020.
Text messages exchanged between Courtemanche and Burgess three years prior to the alleged theft reveal Courtemanche's anticipation of Maloof's newfound single status. In one message, Courtemanche expressed her eagerness at the prospect of seizing the opportunity for financial gain, stating, "This neeeeeds to happen. I’ve been so down and out and POOR … we need to get the life we've always deserved no more struggling no more misery mental hospitals ERs etc lol."
Following the exchange, the duo purportedly executed their plan in June 2021, initiating a series of unauthorized Apple Cash transactions. Courtemanche reportedly engaged in further criminal activities, pocketing approximately $93,000 in 2021, followed by $275,000 in the subsequent year, and an additional $75,000 in 2023, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Clark County District Attorney's Office.
The illicit activities came to light when Maloof reported receiving harassing messages and images from various Voice Over Internet Protocol numbers, leading authorities to trace the communications back to Courtemanche. Subsequently, a joint operation between law enforcement in Las Vegas and Los Angeles culminated in a search of Courtemanche's residence in California.
During the search, Courtemanche feigned ignorance regarding the purpose of the authorities' visit, claiming to have no knowledge of the situation. Detectives later uncovered her attempt to conceal a phone during the search, further raising suspicions regarding her involvement in the alleged criminal activities.
Similarly, Burgess, when confronted by Las Vegas law enforcement at her residence in Massachusetts, professed confusion and alleged that she had been misled by Courtemanche, expressing bewilderment at the unfolding events.
Both Courtemanche and Burgess were indicted by a grand jury on multiple felony charges, including theft and money laundering, alongside several misdemeanors. While Burgess appeared in court on January 2, Courtemanche is scheduled for her next court appearance on January 21, marking the continuation of a legal saga that has captivated the public's attention.
