Bookkeeper accused of embezzling $800K from Town Square Inns
JACKSON (WNE) — A former bookkeeper for one of Jackson’s legacy hotel groups is accused of stealing more than $800,000 through payroll and accounting fraud, according to a felony affidavit filed Tuesday in Teton County Circuit Court.
Laura Means, 45, served for 10 years as bookkeeper for Town Square Inns, the family-owned company behind the 49er Inn & Suites, Antler Inn, Cowboy Village Resort and Elk Country Inn. She was arrested Monday at the Antler Inn office on West Pearl Avenue.
Means is charged with one felony count of theft and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say more charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
A resident of Hawaii, Means flew to Jackson once a month to work on the company’s books. She was being held in the Teton County Jail as of press time Thursday evening.
Cole said investigators have not yet located all of the missing funds and described the alleged theft as “not a one-time act, but a pattern of conduct over nearly six years.”
Town Square Inns co-owner Charisse Haws told sheriff’s deputies that she started noticing problems after her mother, company founder Clarene Law — who originally hired Means — died in 2022. Haws began noticing payroll irregularities, late filings and evasive answers about Means’ compensation. When Haws attempted to review payroll accounts, she discovered she no longer had full administrative access, according to court filings.
Investigators allege the theft unfolded through a series of internal transactions that appeared routine on paper but quietly redirected company money elsewhere.
Means also allegedly paid herself twice: once as a full-time employee and again as an independent contractor through multiple Town Square Inns business entities.
She also issued herself bonuses without authorization, nearly $77,000 in paid time off cashouts she was not eligible to receive and duplicate travel reimbursements.
Investigators say the scheme allegedly worked because Means was the only person with full administrative access to payroll and accounting systems, according to court records.
This story was published on Nov. 7, 2025.