Donna Salamanca allegedly stole money during four year period
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a North Baldwin woman was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing more than $600,000 from a Freeport company that installs automatic doors.
Donna Salamanca, 37, (also known as Donna DeJesus) was arraigned yesterday before District Court Judge Darlene Harris on a charge of grand larceny in the second degree (a C felony). Bail was set at $75,000 bond or $40,000 cash and the defendant is due back in court on October 18. If convicted, she faces up to 7-1/2 to 15 years in prison.
“This defendant was entrusted with keeping the company’s books but she allegedly stole more than $600,000 from her employer and used the money to pay for personal expenses,” said DA Singas. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy and my office will always work to protect them from crime.”
DA Singas said from on or about January 2010 Salamanca worked as the comptroller for Door Automation Corp., a business located in Freeport and was authorized to pay the company’s bills. Between November 2011 and September 2015, Salamanca allegedly embezzled $612,363.86 from the company by depositing company checks made out to “cash” or “petty cash” into her personal account and by electronically transferring money into various creditors’ accounts for her personal and family debts.
In total, Salamanca allegedly stole $557,580.00 through cash and petty cash disbursements and $54,783.86 in electronic transfers.
The defendant indicated in company records that the checks were made to purchase various items for the company and to reimburse other employees for work-related expenses. Salamanca allegedly used the money for credit card payments, payments to debt collectors, car insurance, telephone bills, student loans and other expenses.
The defendant was terminated when the Internal Revenue Service placed a lien on the business and her employer discovered that she was making late payments to the IRS or, in some cases, no payments at all.
The investigation was initiated after the defendant’s former employer filed a complaint with the NCDA Complaint Unit.
Assistant District Attorney Peter Mancuso of the Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau is prosecuting the case. Salamanca is represented by Stephen Doddato, Esq. and Melvyn Roth, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.