Former Fiscal Officer for Brooklyn Charity Sentenced to 21 Months’ Imprisonment for Embezzlement

BROOKLYN, NY - Marcia Joseph was sentenced today by United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano in federal court in Brooklyn to 21 months' imprisonment for embezzling funds from her employer, a non-profit organization based in Brooklyn that provides employment and education services for those in need (the Non-Profit). Joseph pleaded guilty to wire fraud in January 2024. As part of her sentence, Joseph was also ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution and forfeiture in the amount of $2.3 million.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) announced the sentence.

"By stealing from a charity she was entrusted to serve, the defendant shamefully diverted resources from those in need to line her own pockets," stated United States Attorney Nocella. "Today's sentence makes clear that those who exploit non-profits for personal gain will face the loss of their freedom and serious financial penalties. Our Office is committed to protecting non-profit organizations and the communities that rely on them from fraudsters."

"Marcia Joseph abused her position and access within a non-profit charity to steal more than two million dollars intended to fund critical employment and education services for the city," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. "For nearly two decades, Joseph selfishly prioritized her extravagant lifestyle at the expense of those who truly needed the financial aid. The FBI remains committed to protecting vulnerable populations from becoming targets of fraudulent and exploitative schemes."

"Non-profits that receive City funding provide critical services to New Yorkers. As a senior fiscal officer, this defendant had a duty to act in the best interests of this City-funded organization; instead she abused her position and access to steal over $2.3 million, generating fictitious documentation to hide her theft for almost two decades. DOI thanks our law enforcement partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York and the FBI for their commitment to protect the City's precious resources for the benefit of their intended recipients," stated DOI Commissioner Strauber.

According to court filings and statements made in court, Joseph was a former senior fiscal officer for the Non-Profit. Joseph admitted stealing $2,339,700 from the Non-Profit and funneled the funds to a sham company she had set up. The invoices described services purportedly provided in connection with a New York City Department of Education educational program focusing on students in shelters and, later, job training for adults in shelters. Over the course of nearly 17 years, Joseph generated and submitted more than 500 fictitious invoices and manipulated the Non-Profit's accounting systems to avoid detection. She used the stolen funds to pay for numerous personal expenses, including approximately $235,000 in mortgage payments, $207,000 in credit card payments, $98,000 in car payments, $45,000 in Amazon expenses, and various other personal items, such as home remodeling, spa treatment, landscaping expenses, and luxury goods.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Silverberg is in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Claire S. Kedeshian of the Office's Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters and Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Saavedra of the Office's Financial Litigation Program is assisting with restitution matters.

The Defendant:

MARCIA JOSEPH (also known as "Marcia James," "Marcia Lewis," and "Marcia Peters")
Age: 59
Baldwin, Long Island

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-04 (ENV)