By: Richard L. Smith
A Monmouth County woman is facing state prison time after admitting to embezzling approximately $4 million from her longtime employer and failing to report the illicit income on her taxes, according to a statement released by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
Jeanette Avellan, 62, of Howell, pleaded guilty before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Natalie S. Watson to multiple charges, including second-degree theft of movable property, third-degree failure to pay income taxes, and third-degree filing a fraudulent tax return.
As part of a plea agreement, she is expected to receive a four-year sentence in state prison.
According to additional details provided in a statement from the Attorney General’s Office, Avellan worked as a bookkeeper for West End Express Co., a South Brunswick-based company, since 2005.
Over a six-year span—from January 2017 to January 2023—she abused her position of trust to siphon off roughly $4 million from the company’s accounts, later using those funds to fuel a gambling addiction.
The Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), which investigated the case, revealed that Avellan not only stole from her employer but also deliberately concealed her actions by filing false tax returns and failing to report the stolen funds to the New Jersey Division of Taxation.
“Employers put a tremendous amount of trust in individuals tasked with handling company finances,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton in the statement.
“This case demonstrates how that trust can be dangerously violated when personal issues—like gambling addiction—go unchecked.”
As part of her plea agreement, Avellan has agreed to pay restitution totaling $4.03 million to her employer.
She is also required to repay $559,919 in back taxes, penalties, and interest to the state for the tax years 2019 through 2021.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Avellan’s sentencing is scheduled for May 9, 2025, before State Superior Court Judge Henry P. Butehorn in Monmouth County. 
The case underscores New Jersey’s ongoing commitment to holding individuals accountable for white-collar crimes, especially when the misconduct involves significant breaches of financial trust.
The investigation and prosecution were led by the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau.