Stephanie Alicea talks with interested students and parents inside the former Bon-Ton space that she is transforming into the new Capital City Charter School at the Steeplegate Mall in Concord on July 24, 2018. (Photo by Concord Monitor staff)
Founder of charter school in Steeplegate Mall pleads guilty to taking federal education funds
The founder of a charter school that operated in the Steeplegate Mall for two years has pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing over $73,000 in federal funds given to the school.
Stephanie Alicea, 49, of Boscawen pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a program receiving federal funds, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Concord. Alicea was the founder of the Capital City Public Charter School which operated in the former Bon Ton space in the mall during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years.
Based on the idea of service learning, an educational model that integrates community service with instruction, the school was greeted with enthusiasm as an example of how charter schools can take alternative approaches, including the decision to locate in the mostly-empty mall. The state Board of Education began to raise questions about the school’s financial records soon after it opened, pointing to missing state and federal financial audits and “excess” grant reimbursements.
Capital City closed after the 2019-20 school year, surrendered its charter in February 2021, and declared bankruptcy in March 2021.
Alicea oversaw the school’s finances and day-to-day operations. Capital City received federal charter school grant funds, to be used for education-related expenses.
In spring 2020, an external auditor found that Alicea had spent some of the grant funds on expenses that were personal in nature, including gambling, dining, and travel. In total, Alicea stole $73,253.36 in federal grant funds from Capital City, according to a statement from the attorney’s office.
The charge of Theft from a Program Receiving Federal Funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for January 6, 2025.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General and Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case. — Concord Monitor staff report
McLane Middleton welcomes attorney Holly Salois
The law firm of McLane Middleton has hired attorney Holly N. Salois.
Holly is an associate in the firm’s Tax and Corporate Departments, where she assists clients with tax disputes and transactional matters.
Prior to joining McLane Middleton, Holly worked for two years as a law clerk for Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald at the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
Holly earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law. During law school, she was a senior editor of the UNH Law Review and a member of the Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program.
Admitted to practice in New Hampshire, Holly can be reached in the Manchester office at (603) 628-1160 or holly.salois@mclane.com.
Hilary Holmes Rheaume named new director of pro bono and community service at Bernstein Shur
Bernstein Shur announced that Hilary Holmes Rheaume, shareholder in the firm’s Manchester office, has been named as the new director of pro bono and community service.
Pro bono and community service work has been a part of Bernstein Shur since its founding in 1915, reflecting the firm’s commitment to giving back to the communities it serves. In 2023 alone, Bernstein Shur attorneys committed a total of 2,958.50 hours of pro bono work, valued at $958,098 at traditional firm rates. Rheaume’s new role will focus on continuing this tradition of service while expanding the firm’s impact in underserved areas.
Rheaume has made pro bono and community service work a top priority in her career. She has represented victims of domestic and sexual violence in the federal and state courts, and served on numerous non-profit boards, including the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and New Hampshire Legal Assistance. Personally, giving back is part of her family’s core values: Rheaume, her husband and her children have collectively participated in more than eight service trips to El Salvador.
“I’m honored to take on this role at Bernstein Shur, where the firm’s strong commitment to pro bono work and community service first drew me in years ago,” said Rheaume. “Providing pro bono legal services and serving the community have reinforced my belief in the power of volunteerism—not just for individuals, but as a core value within an organization. To make a meaningful difference, it must be woven into the organization’s foundation. I’m passionate about giving back and excited to help expand our positive impact on the communities we serve.”
Rheaume currently serves as co-chair of the New Hampshire Bar Association Leadership Academy Steering Committee and has a well-earned reputation for excellence as an attorney within Bernstein Shur and among her peers.
“Hilary has long been recognized as a rising star at Bernstein Shur, making her appointment both timely and well-deserved,” said Joan Fortin, CEO, Bernstein Shur. In January 2024, Rheaume was named a shareholder, and she has received numerous accolades for her work, including being recognized by Chambers USA 2024 as “Up and Coming” in Litigation and listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2025. She has also received the National Association of Women’s Lawyers Award, University of New Hampshire School of Law, and was named to the New Hampshire Union Leader’s “40 Under Forty” list in 2022.
“Her leadership and dedication to both her clients and the community make her the ideal candidate to guide the firm’s pro bono initiatives into the future.” said Fortin. “Her passion for service and her commitment to excellence have made her an invaluable part of our team. We look forward to the impact she will continue to have on the community through this position.”
