Also Allegedly Collecting Unemployment Funds While Working Full-Time
A Brightwaters woman has been indicted for allegedly stealing over $230,000 from an electrical company she worked at. She also allegedly improperly collected unemployment benefits while working at the company.
Between December 2018 and June 2023, while working as an office manager at Northeast Electrical Contractors, Inc., Christa Ramos was responsible for paying the bills associated with the company. Instead of simply paying the bills, Ramos allegedly began writing checks to herself totaling approximately $230,398 without any authorization from the company’s president or vice president. Ramos then allegedly deposited these checks into her personal bank account and used the funds for her own personal expenses.
Further investigation revealed that Ramos was also allegedly collecting unemployment insurance benefits while she was working full-time for the electrical company. While employed, Ramos allegedly made repeated representations to the New York State Department of Labor that she was unemployed.
As the company’s office manager, Ramos was also responsible for handling the company’s mail. As a result, she was able to conceal the fact that she was allegedly collecting unemployment benefits from her employer. In total, Ramos allegedly stole more than $40,000 in taxpayer funds.
On October 17, 2025, Ramos, 57, was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro for one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony; three counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, all Class D felonies; and three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, all Class E felonies.
Ambro ordered Ramos held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Ramos is due back in court on November 18, 2025 and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
“Stealing from a small business is not just a crime against one employer; it’s a crime against the backbone of our economy and the fabric of our community,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “My office is committed to holding individuals accountable who exploit small businesses for personal gain.”