A New Jersey woman has been arrested and charged with the theft of more than $1.2 million from a Montgomery County company at which she was vice president of finance and human resources.
Linda Mansi, 53, of Tuckerton, was charged with numerous felony counts in the thefts from Arnold’s Office Furniture and Sunline Supply Company, headquartered in Bridgeport, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele.
The Bridgeport Police and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, in a joint investigation, allege that between January 2016 until her termination in February 2023, when company owners discovered the theft, Mansi made unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals totaling $1,271,315, which she used for personal and family enrichment and expenses, as well as those of family members.
Company owners Jay and Jordan Berkowitz contacted Bridgeport Police on Feb. 7, to report a significant theft of company funds. Mansi, who was employed by the company since 2015, had held various positions within the company, from bookkeeper to most recently vice president of finance and human resources. In each position, she was responsible for accounts payable/receivable, credit/debit cards, payroll and other financial activities. The owners told police they became aware of personal payments to Mansi totaling more than $1 million from an account in which she had sole oversight.
The individual payments, varying from a few dollars to thousands of dollars, included expenditures for her son’s prison commissary, legal costs and phone accounts; online gambling sites; travel expenses including a trip to Miami for her son’s 21st birthday; tickets for events including Phillies season tickets and concerts; doctor and medical expenses for herself and family; and purchases from jewelry stores, Coach, Etsy and other online shopping sites, according to charging documents.
The defendant also made 388 ATM and bank withdrawals totaling $146,957.16, made 560 payments to family and friends via Paypal, and overpaid her salary by $19,000 in 2022, officials say
"A local Montgomery County business now faces significant financial hardship because of someone who preyed upon the company owners’ trust. Sadly, this situation is not completely uncommon,” said DA Steele. "This case is a reminder that businesses and non-profit organizations need to have checks and balances on any individual who handles the company’s finances.”
Mansi is charged with multiple felony counts including theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, theft by failing to make required dispositions, receiving stolen property, forgery, and criminal use of a communications facility and other related charges. She was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Edward Levine, who set bail at $100,000 unsecured, with the stipulation that she could not travel outside of Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Her next court date will be a preliminary hearing at 9:15 a.m., Aug. 9, before Magisterial District Judge James P. Gallagher.
