Ortiz
GOSHEN – A 51-year-old Pine Island woman pled in Orange County
Court on Monday to grand larceny for stealing over $1.3 million from the
Village of Florida company where she worked as an office manager.
Donna Ortiz admitted to stealing $1.36 million between July 1, 2009 and
December 31, 2015 by diverting money into her own bank accounts, disguising
the transactions as legitimate payments to company vendors, said District
Attorney David Hoovler.
When sentenced by Judge Robert Freehill in March, Ortiz is expected to
receive four to 12 years in state prison and be ordered to pay back the
stolen money.
The investigation began when Ortiz’s employer made a complaint to
the District Attorney’s Office. The case was investigated by David
Curtin, an assistant DA assigned to the Special Investigations Unit, and
DA’s office criminal investigators, who uncovered evidence revealing
fraudulent transfers beyond was originally reported.
The state Department of Taxation and Finance aided in the investigation.
“Embezzling is a serious crime that involves an abuse of trust,”
said Hoovler.
“The large dollar amount of this theft, as well as the extended
period of time during which it occurred, are deserving of a state prison
sentence.”
Hoovler said employee embezzlement “not only risks the livelihoods
of business owners, but of other employees who took no part in stealing.”
