Hoboken Woman Allegedly Embezzled From Englewood Non-Profit

HOBOKEN, NJ – The U.S. Attorney's Office alleged on Tuesday that a Hoboken woman embezzled thousands of dollars from an Englewood non-profit dedicated to affordable housing, by allegedly writing checks to herself.

The woman, Yezenia Castillo, 44, was arrested on Tuesday. She was charged by complaint with four counts of wire fraud.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito's office said that according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, from May 2015 to August 2016, Castillo allegedly used her position as the accountant for the non-profit company to issue unauthorized checks made payable to herself or entities she controlled.

The complaint against Castillo, which states that she is also known as Yezenia Maldanado, lists four checks ranging from approximately $5,000 to $10,000.

The office said she allegedly forged the signature of the president of the company’s board of directors on the checks, representing to the company that the payments were for legitimate business expenses, including tax payments to be made on behalf of the company.

A review of bank records during the period did not identify tax payments made by Castillo to the IRS or the State of New Jersey on behalf of the company, Carpenito's office said.

The counts of wire fraud each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, a release said.

Castillo was scheduled to appear Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court. Matthew Reilly, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, later said the appearance was an initial appearance and Castillo did not enter a plea yet. She was released on an unsecured $100,000 bond and is represented by Brian Neary of Hackensack.

Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi, and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation.

The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.