Manahawkin Woman Sentenced For $178K Theft From Former Job

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — A Manahawkin woman was sentenced to state prison for stealing about $178K from an engineering firm where she was working as an administrative assistant, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Dona Carlo-Tanzola, 51, will spend five years in New Jersey State Prison for the theft, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. She also must pay restitution in the amount of $139,698.56.

An investigation by Long Beach Township police found that between May 2022 and Nov. 2022, Carlo-Tanzola took checks made payable to Horn, Tyson & Yoder, Inc., where she worked, 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.