No Halo News · Sourced development
Former Help For Animals manager admitted embezzling $624,599.86 and pleaded guilty to money laundering
Jerod Timothy Vannatter pleaded guilty on September 28 to money laundering and admitted embezzling $624,599.86 while managing Help For Animals, a nonprofit veterinary clinic in Barboursville. According to federal prosecutors, he used unauthorized payroll deposits, checks and false vendor invoices to divert clinic money, which he said he lost through online gambling. Sentencing remains pending.
Status matters. This page records a sourced development, not a completed No Halo investigation. An allegation is not a finding. Dismissals, settlements, judgments, corrections and final outcomes remain distinct.
Donor relevance
Why this matters
The admitted theft was large relative to the clinic’s operations and directly depleted resources supporting low-cost veterinary services. The plea establishes criminal responsibility, although sentencing and collection of restitution remain unresolved.
Attribution
Who reported or established this
The plea, admitted conduct and restitution amount were reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office based on court documents and statements made in court. WSAZ identified the affected clinic as Help For Animals and interviewed a clinic representative.
Evidence limits
What remains unverified
No Halo has not independently audited the clinic’s total losses, insurance recoveries, control failures or ability to collect the ordered restitution. Sentencing has not occurred.
Right of reply
Organization response
Clinic representative Vicki Graham told WSAZ that the organization was blindsided and had worked to overcome the loss. She said the former manager left the clinic approximately $200,000 in the red.
Classification
How No Halo records this event
Event type: Conviction. Current state: Pending. No Halo preserves the current procedural state rather than treating every mention as a finding.
Published September 28, 2026 · Last verified September 30, 2026. See an error or a later outcome? Submit a correction or right of reply.