Vegas Socialite Avoids Jail for Scamming Tycoon Ex
A woman accused of scamming her businessman ex-boyfriend out of nearly half a million dollars has received a suspended sentence and must pay restitution.
Jennifer Courtemanche, a Las Vegas socialite, avoided jail time on Tuesday after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit theft. She was sentenced to a suspended sentence in a Las Vegas courtroom for defrauding her former boyfriend, Gavin Maloof, of $445,000.
Maloof, a founding partner of the Golden Knights hockey team, addressed the court, describing the theft as a deeply personal crime involving deception, manipulation, emotional abuse, and the intentional abuse of trust. "Those words demonstrate that she me viewed not as someone she cared about, but someone she intended to exploit for financial gain," Maloof stated, referencing text messages between Courtemanche and her friend, Brittany Burgess.
Text messages presented in court revealed Courtemanche's intentions. In one exchange with Burgess, Courtemanche wrote, "OMG THIS IS IT he broke up with his b**ch FINALLY and wants me to come out im not letting or anythinggggg stop me this is my chance for BOTH of us." She also expressed her desire for a better life, stating, "This neeeeeds to happen. I've been so down and out and POOR. We need to get the life weve always deserved no more struggling no more misery mental hospitals ERs etc lol."
According to investigators, Courtemanche and Burgess gained access to Maloof's phone and facilitated Apple Cash payments from his account to their own. Between 2021 and 2023, Courtemanche allegedly transferred $93,448.00 in 2021, approximately $275,600.00 in 2022, and approximately $75,600.00 in 2023. Of 214 transactions, 144 were reportedly sent from a phone number linked to Burgess, who then transferred the funds to Courtemanche. Burgess received approximately $12,000 from the scheme, while Courtemanche received nearly $433,000.
The investigation began as a harassment case when Maloof started receiving unwanted text messages and photos from multiple Voice Over Internet Protocol phone numbers. A search warrant executed at Courtemanche's home led to the seizure of her electronic devices, which revealed the alleged scam.
Courtemanche, whose IMDb profile lists small roles in television series, had previously filed a financial affidavit stating she was unemployed with no source of income. She and Burgess were also ordered to make full restitution to Maloof. The judge mandated that both women maintain full-time employment to pay off the stolen funds, with a review of their compliance scheduled for next month. If full restitution is made, their cases may be fully dismissed.
Burgess agreed to pay restitution of $11,652 to Maloof. Both women reportedly attempted to conceal their faces from news cameras in court and offered no apologies.