Photo Of A Prison (TFP File Photo) A former assistant dean and two other ex-employees of an Essex County graduate school have admitted to particip
A former assistant dean and two other ex-employees of an Essex County graduate school have admitted to participating in a scheme that defrauded their employer of over $1.3 million. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced the guilty pleas today.
Teresina DeAlmeida, 59, the former assistant dean, and Rose Martins, 44, both pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Julien Xavier Neals. A third former employee, 61-year-old Denise Quiles, is expected to plead guilty to the same charge on August 22, 2024.
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The scheme involved manipulating the school’s payroll system to issue unauthorized payments and bonuses to themselves and others, exceeding their authorized compensation. They also used DeAlmeida’s school-issued credit card for tens of thousands of dollars in personal purchases, including shoes, smartwatches, and bed linens, fraudulently altering receipts before submitting them for reimbursement.
The defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing for DeAlmeida and Martins is scheduled for December 10, 2024.
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“Through an elaborate, years-long embezzlement scheme, these defendants violated their obligation to the students and exploited their role at this institution of higher learning to line their own pockets. Through forgery, fraudulent invoices, unauthorized transactions and phony shell companies, they stole money intended to benefit the school and its student body and abused their positions. These arrests are yet another example of this office’s commitment to holding accountable those who commit financial fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger
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