Former Employee Stole More Than $130K From 2 Westchester Firms

HARRISON, NY — A New Jersey woman has admitted to cheating her former employers in Westchester County.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced on Thursday that 48-year-old Michelle Pennant, of Patterson, New Jersey, has admitted to stealing over $130,000 from two of her former employers.

She pleaded guilty on June 17 to two felony counts of fourth-degree grand larceny; and one felony count of fourth-degree criminal tax fraud.

Pennant is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 28.

"Westchester County is a vibrant place to do business, except if you are a fraudster or thief," Cacace said. "When people steal from our local businesses, that raises their operating costs, which get passed along to the rest of us bit by bit. That's why my Economic Crimes Bureau works around the clock to root out fraud, waste, corruption and larceny, helping drive down costs for small businesses and ensuring that the rest of us aren't left to pick up the tab."

Prosecutors say that between March 2023 and April 2024, Pennant stole $70,250.46 from one of her employers, a Westchester-based construction company. Between April 2022 and April 2024, she also stole $62,548.08 from another of her employers, a home decorating business. During that time period, Pennant also failed to pay taxes on the unreported illicit income to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

The case was investigated by the Harrison Police Department, the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, the Investigators Squad within the DA's Office, and forensic accountant Michael Frenza.

The case is being prosecuted by Economic Crimes Bureau Chief Gwen Galef.