Manager Of Tinton Falls Construction Company Charged With Theft

TINTON FALLS, NJ — The office manager of a construction company located in Tinton Falls has been criminally charged with swindling her employer out of more than $2.2 million over the course of seven years, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Monday morning, Jan. 10.

Donna Cook, 52, of Farmingdale is charged with second-degree theft, third-degree forgery and third-degree false uttering.

The investigation into Cook was launched several months ago and it was initiated by the Tinton Falls Police Department. However, it ultimately grew to include the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office Financial Crimes and Public Corruption unit.

Police from both agencies say that starting in 2015 and continuing into 2021, Cook allegedly stole company funds by writing herself unauthorized checks.

The investigation further determined that Cook had allegedly forged the signature of a company principal for the unauthorized checks, some of which were made payable to cash.

The total yearly payouts ranged in value from a little more than $75,000 to nearly $475,000, and were used by Cook for personal expenses.

Cook was served with the charges via summons late last week and released on her own recognizance. Her first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court will be Feb. 15.

If convicted on the second-degree offense, she is facing up to 10 years in state prison.

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