$108K Stolen From Barnegat Marina By Employee: Prosecutor

BARNEGAT, NJ — A Barnegat resident and employee in local marina's office admitted to stealing more than $100K from the marina over the course of nearly four years, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Lisa Dowd, 52, pleaded guilty to theft on March 21, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Between January 2018 and December 2021, when Dowd was an employee in the marina's office, she forged numerous checks drawn on various bank accounts belonging to the marina, Billhimer said.

Some of these forged checks were made payable to herself, and Dowd deposited them in her personal checking account, Billhimer said.

Others were used to pay for her utilities and personal credit card bill, Billhimer said. In total, she stole $108,415 from the marina, he said.

Dowd turned herself in at Barnegat Township Police Headquarters on Nov. 23, 2022, Billhimer said.

She will be sentenced on June 2, 2023, and the State will be recommending a three-year term in New Jersey State Prison, Billhimer said. Dowd will also have to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $108,415, he said.