A Brightwaters woman was sentenced to three to six years in prison for stealing over $230,000 from her employer.
Between December 2018 and June 2023, while working as an office manager at a Deer Park business, Christa Ramos was responsible for paying the company’s bills. During that time, Ramos wrote checks to herself totaling approximately $230,398 without her employer’s permission or authorization to do so. Ramos then deposited the checks into her personal bank account and used the funds for her own personal expenses.
Additionally, Ramos made repeated representations to the New York State Department of Labor that she was unemployed and was collecting unemployment insurance benefits while she was actually employed full-time with this company.
As the office manager, Ramos was responsible for handling the company’s mail and was, therefore, able to conceal the fact that she was illegally collecting unemployment benefits from her employer. In total, Ramos stole over $40,000 in taxpayer funds.
On April 1, 2026, Ramos pleaded guilty to the following charges before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro:
- one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony
- three counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Class D felonies
- three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, Class E felonies
On June 30, 2026, Ambro sentenced Ramos to three to six years in prison and ordered her to pay over $230,000 in restitution.
“Stealing from a small business is an attack on our local economy and the communities these businesses support,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “My office will continue to ensure that those who exploit small businesses for personal gain are held responsible.”