An Essex County accountant is facing criminal charges after authorities claim he stole more than $1.6 million from a longtime client and the client’s two businesses, with some of the funds reportedly used for personal expenses such as sports betting. On January 28, New Jersey’s Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice announced the accusations.
Michael Delia, 61, of West Orange, faces two counts of second-degree theft by unlawful taking, one case of second-degree money laundering, and one count of refusal to turn over collected taxes, according to state officials.
“Our business owners should be able to trust their hired professionals to help them run their businesses responsibly and legally,” Acting Attorney General Davenport said. “The defendant in this case is accused of violating his trust as the accountant and bookkeeper for two companies, lining his pockets at their expense and at the expense of the people of New Jersey. This conduct will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”…