NJ Law Firm CFO Embezzled $1.5 Million, Faces Five Years In Prison : State AG

A 61-year-old Westfield man faces five years in state prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $1.5 million from the law firm he worked at as chief financial officer, authorities said.

Gavel.
Photo Credit: *Unsplash/wesleyphotography*

Sam Barron

05/09/2024 10:20 a.m.

John Dunlea pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 8, to two counts of theft by deception and five counts of failure to pay taxes, New Jersey Attorney General Platkin said.

Dunlea admitted to misappropriating $1.5 million from the law firm of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter by paying himself excess compensation, Platkin said. Between Jan. 2017 and Dec. 2022, Dunlea paid himself $1.2 million and misled the firm into paying his personal credit card charges for flights, hotels and restaurant outings, totaling $355,256.

Dunlea also failed to pay $22,568 in income taxes for four years, Platkin said. Dunlea must pay restitution to the law firm and the state Division of Taxation, Platkin said.

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