The actress ex-girlfriend of a wealthy Las Vegas NHL tycoon charged in a gold-digging plot to steal half a million dollars from him claims she cannot afford a lawyer.
Jennifer Courtemanche, 45, is accused of stealing nearly $445,000 from former part-owner of the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team, Gavin Maloof.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers uncovered shocking text messages between Courtemanche and her friend Brittany Burgess revealing the alleged plot.
The scheming pals were indicted by a grand jury on theft, money laundering and conspiracy charges in April.
Courtemanche filed a financial affidavit on January 13, claiming she is unemployed with no source of income and cannot pay for an attorney.
However, a KLAS investigation revealed that as recently as December, Courtemanche’s mailing address was an apartment in Marina del Rey, California, where rent for a one-bedroom unit starts at $2,700.
Her next court appearance for an appointment of counsel is scheduled for January 21.
LVMPD detectives uncovered the damning text messages during a probe into threatening messages and photographs received by Maloof.
Jennifer Courtemanche (pictured), 45, is accused of stealing nearly $445,000 from her wealthy Las Vegas NHL tycoon ex-boyfriend
Police said Courtemanche sent herself money from Gavin Maloof’s (pictured) phone over a three-year period
The shocking messages exchanged between Courtemanche and Burgess date back to 2017.
‘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,’ Courtemanche said.
‘This neeeeeds to happen… I’ve been so down and out and POOR.’
Courtemanche added: ‘…we need to get the life weve always deserved no more struggling no more misery mental hospitals ERs etc lol’
Police said Burgess responded, ‘…we need plan.’
‘We’ve been friends for so long I can’t remember which one of us is the bad influence,’ Courtemanche allegedly texted Burgess.
The businessman reported threatening messages and photographs he had received to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, who traced the number to Courtemanche.
LVMP, with the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department, went to the Sag-AFTRA actress’ home with a search warrant to seize her electronic devices in May, according to police records.
The alleged scam unraveled as police revealed how Courtemanche gained access to Maloof’s cell phone and sent money from Maloof’s account to hers via Apple Cash payments.
The actress with minor roles listed on IMDB was indicted on theft, money laundering and conspiracy charges in April
Maloof’s wealthy family are known for appearing on reality TV. The business man divested from the Vegas Golden Knights in January 2024
She sent $93,448.00 in 2021, approximately $275,600.00 in 2022, and approximately $75,600.00 in 2023, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Clark County District Attorney’s office.
Of 214 transactions involving alleged theft, 144 were from a phone number belonging to Burgess, who then sent the money back to Courtemanche, the report stated.
Burgess received nearly $12,000 through the alleged scheme, while Courtemanche received almost $433,000, according to police.
Investigators said they discovered 37 different phone numbers used in the scheme.
Courtemanche’s IMDB profile lists minor roles in TV series, including You, The Vampire Diaries, Two and a Half Men, Gossip Girl and 90210.
Maloof’s wealthy family are known for appearing on reality TV. His sister, Adrienne Maloof, starred in the show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Adrienne was married to the plastic surgeon Paul Nassif, who was featured on another reality TV show, Botched, before the pair divorced in 2012.
Maloof divested from the Vegas Golden Knights in January 2024, according to KSNV.
