DA: Merokean Stole More Than $450K from Employer

A Merrick woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly stealing more than $450K from the real estate firm that she'd been working at as a bookkeeper, according to the Nassau County District Attorney's office.

Joanne Rocca, 67, of Merrick, was arrested by investigators and charged with second-degree grand larceny and 37 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Rice said that between July of 2004 and April of 2011, Rocca used her position as the bookkeeper for a Plainview-based building maintenance and real estate firm to embezzle more than $456,000 from her employer by arranging automatic payments from the company’s accounts to pay personal bills and forging the owner’s signature on company checks. 

She allegedly used the stolen cash by pay her cable television, gasoline, grocery, and utility bills, and to purchase home furnishings.

Her alleged thievery was discovered in May of 2011. After Rocca denied the claims, an internal review revealed the extent of her theft, officials said.

“For Ms. Rocca to steal this much money over such an extended period of time shows a complete disregard for the rule of the law and a total lack of respect for the trust placed in her by her employer,” District Attorney Kathleen Rice said.

Rocca is represented by Anthony LoPinto, Esq.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.