BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON — An accountant formerly employed by Frenchie’s Chevrolet in Massena has pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny. 

According to District Attorney Gary Pasqua, Saralynn Burnett, admitted to embezzling more than $24,000 from the dealership. 

Pasqua said the court is committed to five years of probation with restitution capped at $24,000. 

“Unfortunately, due to the untimely and tragic death of Real Coupal, we lost a necessary witness in this case and it became impossible to prove the total amount of money stolen,” Pasqua told North Country This Week. 

Real “Frenchie” Coupal tragically lost his life in December, along with Loretta Perez, after the vehicle they were traveling in was struck by Connor A. Graveline, 19, of Ogdensburg. 

Graveline was recently charged with criminally negligent homicide by the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office after a nearly three month investigation. 

On Dec. 17, the St Lawrence County Sheriff's deputies responded to a two-car motor vehicle accident at the intersection of State Highway 310 and County Route 34 in the Town of Potsdam. The accident resulted in the deaths of Real “Frenchie” Coupal, 84, and Loretta Perez, 73, a passenger in the vehicle.

Deputies determined that at the time of the accident Graveline was operating his vehicle  with negligence which contributed to the cause of the motor vehicle accident.

Graveline is scheduled to appear in Potsdam Town Court at a later date to answer the charges. The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's office was assisted by the New York State Police.

Coupal was president of Frenchie’s Chevrolet.

“Frenchie and Loretta were two cornerstones of this community.  Each individual was highly involved in the community, whether that be with the Hospital board, the Elks, or the Italian American Club.  Two very wonderful people who gave so much to the community and who I will miss dearly.  My thoughts are with both of their families and I know the entire Massena community grieves,” Mayor Greg Paquin said.

Deputies say a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Connor A. Graveline of Ogdensburg, was traveling east on County Route 34 when he failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection and struck a 2022 GMC Acadia, operated by Coupal.

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