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Woman Steals $4M from Employer to Fund Gambling Habit
Jeanette Avellan admitted to embezzling company funds over six years and failing to pay taxes; state recommends four-year prison term and over $4.5 million in restitution.
A Howell, New Jersey, woman has pleaded guilty to stealing approximately $4 million from her longtime employer and committing tax fraud over multiple years, according to an announcement from Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice.
Jeanette Avellan, 62, entered her plea before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Natalie S. Watson, admitting to second-degree theft of movable property, third-degree failure to pay income taxes, and third-degree filing a fraudulent tax return. The plea deal includes a recommended sentence of four years in state prison.
“This defendant admitted to systematically stealing millions of dollars from her employer while in a position of financial trust,” said Attorney General Platkin. “She will now face significant punishment for her crimes. My office will always find those who would use their positions of trust to take what isn’t rightfully theirs.”
Avellan was employed as a bookkeeper by West End Express Co., a business based in South Brunswick, beginning in 2005. From January 2017 through January 2023, she systematically diverted approximately $4 million from the company’s accounts for personal use, which she acknowledged was primarily used for gambling.
In addition to the theft, Avellan admitted to knowingly filing fraudulent tax returns that omitted the stolen funds and to failing to pay income taxes on the misappropriated money. Her tax violations span multiple years, specifically 2019, 2020, and 2021.
As part of the plea agreement, Avellan has committed to paying full restitution to her employer in the amount of $4.03 million. She will also pay $559,919 to the New Jersey Division of Taxation, covering back taxes, penalties, and interest for the aforementioned tax years.
“Employers need to know the people they hire to handle sensitive financial duties can be trusted to do their jobs honestly and professionally,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “Unfortunately, in this case, the defendant’s gambling habit led her to steal from her employer and then try to hide her theft by filing fraudulent tax returns.”
Sentencing is scheduled for May 9, 2025, before Superior Court Judge Henry P. Butehorn in Monmouth County.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Division of Criminal Justice’s Casino Prosecution Unit, the New Jersey State Police Financial Crimes Unit, the New Jersey Division of Taxation, and the DCJ Frauds and Forfeiture Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General John Corson, under the supervision of Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Davis.
