Prosecutor: Former Low-Income Housing CFO Charged with Stealing $1.6 Million

The former chief financial officer of an area low-income housing high-rise has been charged with stealing more than $1.6 million from the organization over a span of more than 14 years, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

John O’Donnell, 57, of Scotch Plains, Union County, has been charged with second-degree theft by unlawful taking, third-degree forgery, and third-degree false uttering. O’Donnell was charged via summons earlier today pending a first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

An investigation into O’Donnell’s activities by the MCPO Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau was initiated in June of 2023 after the company that owns Washington Manor in Long Branch — which manages 100 housing units for seniors and disabled individuals on Ocean Boulevard — took note of a $14,000 life insurance payout to O’Donnell, prompting an internal audit.

The investigation determined that from February 2009 through May 2023, O’Donnell issued approximately 400 unauthorized checks from company accounts to a construction firm he owned. The checks totaled more than $1.6 million, many containing the forged signature of a Washington Manor employee. He allegedly used the stolen funds for personal expenses such as mortgage payments.

From December 2020 to May 2023, O’Donnell also allegedly used a Washington Manor credit card for unauthorized personal purchases, such as home renovations, pool services, and HVAC repair, totaling more than $30,000.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office