Long Branch Woman Admits To Taking $400K From Housing Org.

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Long Branch woman admitted Friday to stealing $400,000 from her former employer. Debra Agresti worked as director of administration for the Affordable Housing Alliance in Neptune.

Agresti pleaded guilty to second-degree theft. She made unauthorized purchases of gift cards for personal expenses, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

The Long Branch resident used the company credit card for these expenses from August 2012 to March 2019, the MCPO said. In order to conceal the misuse, Agresti intercepted the monthly credit-card statements and created false invoices that matched the amount she spent on the gift cards.

Agresti, 57, changed the invoices to show purchases of office supplies. She was the lone conspirator in this scheme, the MCPO said.

The Affordable Housing Alliance provides housing and other relief to New Jersey residents in need. Agresti joined the organization as an administrative assistant in 2007 before her promotion to director of administration.

She faces up to five years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 27.

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