$178K Stolen From Firm By Manahawkin Employee: Prosecutor

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — A Manahawkin woman admitted to stealing $178K from an engineering firm where she was employed as an administrative assistant, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Dona Carlo-Tanzola, 51, pleaded guilty on July 1 to theft in connection with her previous employment at Horn, Tyson & Yoder, Inc., located in Long Beach Township, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

An investigation by Long Beach Township police found that between May 2022 and Nov. 2022, Carlo-Tanzola took checks made payable to the engineering firm and deposited them into her personal bank accounts for her own personal benefit, Billhimer said.

In an attempt to cover up the theft, Carlo-Tanzola edited the business's financial records by deleting paid invoices in client accounts - despite the firm having received payments for services rendered, Billhimer said. In total, Carlo-Tanzola diverted dozens of checks totaling $178,774.35, according to Billhimer. After being confronted with the theft, Carlo-Tanzola made partial restitution.

She was arrested on Jan. 9, 2023, and was processed and served with the charges via summons pending appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.

At the time of her sentencing on Aug. 30, 2024, Carlo-Tanzola faces five years in New Jersey State Prison and restitution in the amount of $139,698.56.