South Amboy Woman Admits To Stealing $1.7M From Her Employer

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ — A South Amboy woman who worked as a bookkeeper for a Newark-based company admitted Tuesday in federal court to stealing $1.7 million from the company by writing bogus business checks made out to herself, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Tammy Martinez, 46, of South Amboy pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire Cecchi in Newark federal court to one count of bank fraud.

From January 2014 through March 2019, Martinez worked as an office manager and bookkeeper for the Newark-based company; their name was not disclosed as they are seen as the victim in this case.

Beginning in January of 2014, Martinez used her position at the company to issue fraudulent checks made payable to either herself or cash and forged the signature of her manager on the checks, prosecutors said.

She cashed the checks at bank branches throughout the state, resulting in more than $1.7 million in losses to the company.

She's facing up to 30 years in prison; sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2020. Newark police assisted with the investigation and arrest, the U.S. Attorney said.