DA: Merrick Woman Stole $90K From Employer

A Merrick woman was formally charged with embezzling more than $90,000 from her employer using a company credit account, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Heather DiCostanzo, 47, was indicted Tuesday on second-degree grand larceny charge–a felony, the DA said.

If convicted, DiCostanzo faces between five and 15 years in prison, the DA said.

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Investigators said DiCostanzo made unauthorized charges on her Uniondale-based employer’s American Express account. She worked as the company’s comptroller for a decade and stole money for seven of those years, the DA said.

Between 2005 and 2012, the DA said DiConstanzo stole a total $90,593.51 from her employer and used it to pay for lodging and airline travel, household appliances, construction materials, concert and theater tickets, and to make purchases at department stores, restaurants, supermarkets, pet stores, service stations, and convenience stores.

DiCostanzo’s theft was discovered by a fellow employee who noticed pages missing from the company’s American Express bill, the DA said. She made her final fraudulent purchase on food and drinks before boarding a cruise ship to Florida, officials said.

“In the end, there was no place this defendant could travel – by air, or by cruise ship – to escape the consequences of her deceitful actions,” Acting Nassau DA Madeline Singas said.

DiCostanzo is due back in court Feb. 9.

Photo credit: NCDA

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