Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced today that an employee in the billing department of a hardware supply company in Hainesport has been indicted on charges of stealing nearly $109,000 from the company over a 13-month period.
Cortney R. Brucee, 32, of the 600 block of Francois Court in Burlington Township, was indicted on one count each of Elements of Computer Theft (Second Degree), Misapplication of Entrusted Property (Second Degree), and Theft by Deception (Second Degree).
The indictment was returned on January 25 and signed by BCPO First Assistant Prosecutor Philip S. Aronow. An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court in Mount Holly.
In total, Brucee is accused of stealing $108,927.90 from her employer. The thefts for which Brucee was indicted occurred between February 2016 and March 2017.
Brucee’s position required her to take payments from customers and deposit the money in the company’s bank account. The investigation revealed that Brucee instead deposited multiple checks meant for her employer into her personal account at a different bank. The money was used to pay for various personal expenses, including a family vacation to Walt Disney World in Florida.
The fraud was discovered after the general manager contacted a customer to ask why an invoice had not yet been paid. The customer provided a copy of a check showing that the invoice had been paid. The back of the check had been signed by Brucee for deposit into her personal account.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew R. McDonnell, supervisor of the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit. The case was investigated by the New Jersey State Police.
Anyone with knowledge of criminal activity involving this defendant is asked to call the Prosecutor’s Office at 609-265-5035 and ask to speak to a detective in the Financial Crimes Unit.
An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.