A Brightwaters woman allegedly stole from her employer while also illegally collecting unemployment insurance benefits.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Christa Ramos, 57, of Brightwaters, was indicted for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, and other related charges, for allegedly stealing over $230,000 dollars from her employer.
“Stealing from a small business is not just a crime against one employer; it’s a crime against the backbone of our economy and the fabric of our community,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office is committed to holding individuals accountable who exploit small businesses for personal gain.”
According to the investigation, between December 2018 and June 2023, while working as an office manager at Northeast Electrical Contractors, Inc., Ramos was responsible for paying the bills associated with the company. Instead of simply paying the bills, Ramos allegedly began writing checks to herself totaling approximately $230,398 without any authorization. Ramos then allegedly deposited these checks into her personal bank account and used the funds for her own personal expenses.
Ramos was also allegedly collecting unemployment insurance benefits while she was employed full-time for Northeast Electrical Contractors, Inc.
While employed, Ramos allegedly made repeated representations to the New York State Department of Labor that she was unemployed. In her role as office manager, she was able to conceal the fact that she was collecting unemployment benefits. In total, Ramos allegedly stole more than $40,000 in taxpayer funds.
Ramos was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro and held on cash or bond. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick Waters of the Financial Crimes Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective Thomas Speciale of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit.