A Damascus bookkeeper who embezzled more than $500,000 from a Boring nursery was sentenced Monday to three years and nine months in state prison.
Jackie O’Neill, who used to be known as Jackie Stevens, pleaded guilty in Clackamas County Circuit Court in May to 12 counts of aggravated theft, computer crime, forgery and identity theft, according to court records.
O’Neill, 53, worked as a bookkeeper for Jaycee Newman Inc., a specimen tree nursery brokerage, and stole from the company from 2015 until 2019, when Debbie Newman, one of the owners, went to police to report her suspicions.
Newman prepared a statement that was read aloud at O’Neill’s sentencing. She took aim at O’Neill for her actions, saying she “continued to live large” and “continued seeking and performing work as a bookkeeper” after her 2020 arrest.
“What you’ve demonstrated these last three-and-a-half years is an unapologetic arrogance with no remorse,” Newman’s statement read.
Newman said she was referred to O’Neill, who ran the company Accurate Bookkeeping Solutions, by a mutual friend.
“There was no reason for us not to trust her,” Newman told The Oregonian in 2020. “Everyone knew her. It was pretty devastating.”
She reported her suspicions to police in January 2019. Court records show O’Neill wrote 242 company checks to herself without permission, forging the owner’s signature. She then covered up the transactions using her access to the company’s financial records, according to law enforcement officials.
Her Instagram account showcased expensive travel and purchases. Photos on her page showed her with horses and at horse shows as well as trips to Palm Springs, California, Las Vegas and the Dominican Republic.
As part of the deal, O’Neill paid almost $750,000 in restitution to the company’s owners, Debbie and Jaycee Newman. The restitution included what was stolen plus interest along with civil attorney fees for a lawsuit Newman filed against O’Neill.
--Zaeem Shaikh; mshaikh@oregonian.com; 503-221-8111; @zaeemshake
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