Defendant Sentenced to 3 -9 Years in State Prison For Stealing
Over One Million Dollars from Her Employer

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on March 29, 2017, Donna Ortiz, 51, of Pine Island, was sentenced to three to nine years in state prison in connection with a theft from the Village of Florida company where she was employed as an office manager. On January 23, 2017, Ortiz had pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the First Degree. During the plea, Ortiz admitted to stealing $1,362,477.42, between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2015, by fraudulently diverting money into her own bank accounts. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the District Attorney’s Office recommended that Ortiz be sentenced to four to twelve years in state prison. In addition to the state prison sentence, Orange County Court Judge Robert H. Freehill also ordered Ortiz to pay back all of the stolen funds.

The investigation into Ortiz commenced when Ortiz’s employer made a complaint to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. The case was investigated by an Assistant District Attorney assigned to the Special Investigations Unit, and District Attorney Office Criminal Investigators, who uncovered evidence revealing fraudulent transfers beyond what was originally reported. The District Attorney’s Office was aided in the investigation by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for their aid in the investigation.

“As the owner of the business made clear at the sentencing, this theft not only hurt the company, but prevented the company from hiring others and making additional charitable contributions which would have benefited the entire community,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “Embezzlement is a serious crime that involves an abuse of trust. The large dollar amount of this theft, as well as the extended period of time during which it occurred, are deserving of a state prison sentence. Employee embezzlement affects not only the livelihoods of business owners, but of other employees who took no part in stealing. I am thankful that my staff was able to reach a just result in this matter.”

District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Assistant District Attorney Kerry Kolek for her handling of the prosecution of the case.