Receptionist Steals $25,000 from Holmdel Orthodontist, Monmouth Prosecutor Says

Holmdel, NJ - A front desk receptionist at a Holmdel orthodontics practice was indicted this week for stealing her boss' checkbook, and writing about $25,000 worth of checks to herself and her friends, Monmouth County prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Dr. Sezer Olcay, DMD, the owner of Holmdel Orthodontics, said she doesn't usually write checks, so at first she didn't notice when pages from her personal checkbook went missing last fall.

"I would check my bank account online and notice checks had been made out in small amounts at first, $25, $50," Dr. Olcay told Patch Wednesday. "Then the amounts got larger."

As soon as she realized what was happening, the orthodontist called the police.

Her front desk receptionist, Gina Lena, has been charged with stealing her checkbook and writing out checks to herself as well as two of her friends, she said. This went on for about a 10-week period, Dr. Olcay said, from September through November of 2015. In total, she says, Lena stole $25,000 from her.

Lena, 32, of Matawan, Melissa Sieh, 30, of Keyport, and Gail Shaughnessy, 28, of Keansburg, were each indicted for third-degree theft this week. Lena was also indicted for forgery for allegedly writing the false checks in Dr. Olcay's name. The three women were all charged with cashing the checks, which they knew to be forged, at a local Bank of America, United Check Cashing and Kmart, prosecutors say.

"The police got involved and they were caught on camera at several places, cashing the checks," Dr. Olcay said. "It was pretty dumb."

Holmdel Orthodontics is a relatively new, small practice, Dr. Olcay says. They give out free consultations and provide free orthodontic records. While her practice usually serves the teenage braces set, ages 8-14, she welcomes patients of all ages, she said.

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