Omaha, Nebraska – Two Omaha women accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from their grandmother, a well-known local restaurant owner, appeared in court Friday as prosecutors detailed allegations involving forged checks and unauthorized credit card transactions.
Police say the case centers on the late Caterina Malara, founder of Malara’s Italian Restaurant, who died in 2023. Her granddaughters now face felony theft charges tied to financial activity that allegedly occurred while Malara was a vulnerable adult.
Incident Overview
According to Omaha police, the suspects are Ashley Gomez and Alexandria Kuta, granddaughters of Malara. Investigators allege the women used their access to family finances to steal more than $500,000 through a combination of fraudulent credit cards and forged checks.
Authorities say the alleged theft unfolded over an extended period and involved multiple financial instruments connected to Malara and her restaurant business.
Timeline of Events
Court records indicate that much of the suspected activity occurred in the years leading up to Malara’s death in 2023. Investigators began reviewing the finances after concerns were raised by family members about unexplained withdrawals and payments…