Heather Lynn Pratt, of Fort Myers, Fla., was sentenced today to five years of probation for bankruptcy fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia reported. Pratt pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of “Fraudulent Concealment of Bankruptcy Assets.” At the time of the offense, she was employed by Emerald Grande, LLC and had access to the finances of the Florida-based company. Emerald Grande was operating two La Quinta Inn & Suites in West Virginia, as well as a commercial property. Emerald Grande was a debtor in a bankruptcy case filed and pending in bankruptcy court. Pratt admitted to concealing more than $145,000 she embezzled from the operating account of the LaQuinta Inn & Suites from the bankruptcy trustee, when in fact, that money belonged to the debtor, Emerald Grande, LLC. Pratt was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $145,386.93 to the trustee.
