Cops: Manager Stole $230K from Ruth's Chris in Garden City

A former manager at a Garden City restaurant faces grand larceny charges for stealing more than $230,000 over five years from his employer, according to Nassau County Police.

Cops said Barry Pearlstein, 70, was working in executive management at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse on Old Country Road when he devised a scheme to defraud the company.

Between January 2009 and June 2014, Pearlstein stole cash from the restaurant by under-reporting sales and reducing cash deposits, cops said. By taking cash meant for deposits on a total of 511 different dates, Pearlstein pocketed more than $230,000, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Pearlstein was fired in June after more than 11 years of employment and moved to Florida, the DA said.

On Monday, Pearlstein surrendered to the Crimes Against Property Squad, who charged him with second-degree grand larceny and 10 counts of falsifying business records, cops said.

“In this case, a trusted employee took advantage of his position to steal thousands from a business where he had been employed for over a decade,” DA Kathleen Rice said. “Businesses that have weathered several recessions and rising costs shouldn’t have to also account for workers who steal and lie to cover up their tracks. I want to thank Ruth’s Chris Steak House for their diligence in uncovering this theft, and the Nassau County Police Department Crimes Against Property Squad for partnering with my office in this investigation.”

If convicted, Pearlstein faces between five and 15 years in prison, the DA said. He is due back in court Dec. 9.

Photo: Barry Pearlstein|Credit: NCPD

More from Patch:

• Cops: Men Shopped at Sunrise Mall Using Stolen Credit Card
• Cops: Men Had Loaded Gun in Car on Southern State Parkway
• Flight Lands Safely at JFK After Bomb Threat
• Police: Black Friday Robbery at Commack Target
• New York State Parks Announces Empire Passport Cyber Monday Special
• VIDEO: Dad Builds Backyard Luge You Have to See to Believe
• Police: Cop Shoots Man Who Attempted to Run Over Officers
• WATCH: Harborfields High School Sisters Win ‘Disney Frozen Sing Your Heart’ Contest
• Woman Airlifted to Hospital After SUV, Cesspool Truck Crash in Commack
• Police: 6 Arrested at Sobriety Checkpoint
• Police: Long Beach Mother, Son Sold Heroin to Undercover Agent