West Orange Accountant Charged with Stealing $1.64 Million from Client Businesses

Michael Delia allegedly diverted tax funds, laundered stolen money, and used client accounts for personal expenses over a seven-year period

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A certified accountant based in West Orange has been charged with stealing more than $1.6 million from a local business owner and two client companies he was hired to manage, Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced.

Michael Delia, 61, of Essex County, faces four second-degree charges, including theft by unlawful taking (two counts), money laundering, and failure to turn over collected tax. Authorities allege that Delia systematically exploited his position as an accountant and bookkeeper from 2016 through August 2023 to misappropriate client funds and evade tax obligations.

According to court filings and statements made during the investigation, Delia allegedly funneled business funds into personal and corporate bank accounts under his control. These diverted amounts—used for personal expenses including mortgage payments, sports betting, and credit card bills—totaled roughly $1.64 million. Of that, $910,545 came from collected sales taxes and other revenues that Delia allegedly failed to remit to the state of New Jersey.

Investigators further assert that Delia issued checks to himself in excess of his agreed-upon compensation, amounting to an additional $733,313. In 2023 alone, he allegedly diverted over $126,000 in taxes owed to the state to his own company, STP Processing, which he registered in 2013.

“Our business owners should be able to trust their hired professionals to help them run their businesses responsibly and legally,” said Acting Attorney General Davenport. “The defendant in this case is accused of violating his trust as the accountant and bookkeeper for two companies, lining his pockets at their expense and at the expense of the people of New Jersey. This conduct will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton emphasized the seriousness of the charges, noting that Delia is accused not only of theft and self-enrichment but also of laundering the stolen funds and withholding tax payments legally due to the state.

“This defendant is charged with stealing from his client, laundering the stolen money, and then diverted collected taxes from and owed to the state of New Jersey,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “Our office will continue to prosecute white collar cases like this as the serious crimes that they are.”

The charges follow a joint investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice, the Division of Taxation’s Office of Criminal Investigation, and the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Delia was arrested with assistance from the Port Authority Police.

DCJ Deputy Attorney General Conner Ouellette is prosecuting the case. Second-degree offenses in New Jersey carry a potential sentence of five to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $150,000.

Delia is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.