FREEHOLD – A former administrator of a local nonprofit has been sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison after she plead guilty to stealing over $400,000 from the organization.
Debra Agresti, 59, of Long Branch had pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree Theft in January 2020. She admitted to making unauthorized purchases of several gift cards to pay for personal expenses and collected various goods and services while working for the Affordable Housing Alliance.
Between August 2012 and March 2019, Agresti bought gift cards with a credit card associated with the nonprofit. The organization provides housing, support, and services to low- and middle-income individuals and families in Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex counties.
She managed to conceal her misuse by intercepting monthly statements and creating false invoices to match the amounts she spent on the gift cards. Officials determined that she stole a total of $449,514.22 from the nonprofit.
In 2007, Agresti was originally hired by the Affordable Housing Alliance as an administrative assistant but was later promoted to Director of Administration. Once the theft was discovered, she was terminated in 2019.
