Mercer Times

A Monmouth County woman, Jeanette Avellan, has admitted to stealing approximately $4 million from her employer and not paying the required taxes on the stolen money. Avellan, 62, from Howell, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to charges of theft, failure to pay income taxes, and filing a fraudulent tax return. Her plea deal recommends a sentence of four years in state prison.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin stated, "This defendant admitted to systematically stealing millions of dollars from her employer while in a position of financial trust. She will now face significant punishment for her crimes. My office will always find those who would use their positions of trust to take what isn’t rightfully theirs."

Director Theresa L. Hilton of the Division of Criminal Justice remarked, "Employers need to know the people they hire to handle sensitive financial duties can be trusted to do their jobs honestly and professionally. Unfortunately, in this case, the defendant’s gambling habit led her to steal from her employer and then try to hide her theft by filing fraudulent tax returns."

Avellan worked as a bookkeeper for West End Express Co. in South Brunswick, New Jersey, since 2005. At her plea hearing, she admitted to stealing from the company between 2017 and 2023 and using the money to gamble. She also confessed to filing incorrect tax returns and not reporting or paying taxes on the stolen money.

As part of the plea agreement, Avellan will make restitution of $4.03 million to her victims and pay $559,919 to the New Jersey Division of Taxation for back taxes, penalties, and interest for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021. Sentencing is set for May 9, 2025, in Monmouth County before State Superior Court Judge Henry P. Butehorn.

Attorney General Platkin expressed gratitude to various agencies for their involvement in the case, including the Division of Criminal Justice Casino Prosecution Unit, the New Jersey State Police Financial Crimes Unit, and others. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General John Corson, under supervision by Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Davis.