New Jersey Woman Sentenced to up to 3 Years in State Prison for Stealing More than $130,000 from Westchester Employers

October 29, 2026

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that a New Jersey woman was sentenced to up to three years in state prison after admitting to stealing more than $130,000 from two former employers in Westchester County.

The defendant, Michelle Pennant, 48, of Patterson, New Jersey, was sentenced Wednesday in Westchester County Court before Judge Erin McGoey to one and a half to three years in state prison after pleading guilty on June 17, 2026, to two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony, and Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony.

The court also issued restitution orders totaling $138,395.54, including $70,250.46 and $62,548.08 to her former employers and $5,597 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

DA Cacace said: “Michelle Pennant betrayed the trust placed in her by her employers, exploiting her position to selfishly steal more than $130,000 for her own personal gain. This sentence not only ensures the defendant serves up to three years in prison but reinforces that financial crimes will not be tolerated and those who commit fraud in our community will be held responsible.”

Between March 2023 and April 2024, the defendant stole $70,250.46 from a Westchester-based construction company where she was employed. She also stole $62,549.08 from a home decorating business in Westchester where she worked between April 2022 and April 2024. During this period, the defendant also failed to pay the appropriate taxes connected to this unreported income to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

This case was investigated by the Harrison Police Department, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Criminal Investigators Squad and Forensic Accountant Michael Frenza.

The case was prosecuted by Economic Crimes Bureau Chief Gwen Galef.

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