Hudson Valley Woman Admits To Stealing over $1 Million From Employer

A woman from the Hudson Valley admitted that she stole over $1.3 million from her job in about a six-year period.

On Tuesday in Orange County Court, 51-year-old Donna Ortiz of Pine Island plead guilty to first-degree grand larceny, in connection with a theft from a company in the Village of Florida where she was worked as an office manager.

During the plea, Ortiz admitted to stealing $1,362,477.42 between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2015, by diverting money into her own bank accounts, disguising the transactions as legal payments to company vendors.

An investigation into Ortiz began after Ortiz’s employer made a complaint to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

“Embezzlement is a serious crime that involves an abuse of trust,” Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler stated. “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. Employee embezzlement not only risks the livelihoods or business owners, but of other employees who took no part in stealing.”

As part of her plea deal, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is recommending that Ortiz be sentenced to four to 12 years in state prison and be ordered to pay back all of the stolen funds. Ortiz is scheduled to be sentenced in March.

The District Attorney’s Office was aided in the investigation by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.