Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced that the former accountant for the Triangle Club of Princeton University, the historic touring musical-comedy troupe at the university, pleaded guilty today to embezzling $240,000 from the club.
Thomas John Muza, 56, of Hightstown, pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree theft by unlawful taking before Superior Court Judge Timothy P. Lydon in Mercer County. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Muza be sentenced to three years in state prison.
He must pay restitution of $240,000, including $200,000 that he must pay at sentencing. Deputy Attorney General Peter Gallagher took the guilty plea for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau.
In pleading guilty, Muza admitted that between January 2008 and February 2013, he used his position as accountant for the Triangle Club to steal approximately $240,000. Muza, who was paid an annual salary of $4,000, was a signatory on the club’s bank account. The investigation revealed that he stole much of the money by writing Triangle Club checks directly to himself and cashing them or depositing them into his personal bank account. He used the money primarily to pay his living expenses, including credit card debt, mortgage payments and utility bills. In addition, Muza wrote Triangle Club checks to make direct payments on his personal credit cards.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 4.