Marcia Joseph, a former senior fiscal officer at a Brooklyn-based non-profit organization, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for embezzling more than $2.3 million from her employer. The sentencing took place before United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano in Brooklyn federal court. Joseph had pleaded guilty to wire fraud in January 2024 and was ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution and forfeiture.
The announcement was made by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, along with Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, and Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI).
“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.
Court documents show that Joseph created a sham company where she funneled stolen funds using over 500 fake invoices across nearly 17 years while manipulating accounting systems at her workplace. The invoices described supposed services related first to educational programs targeting students in shelters through the New York City Department of Education and later job training programs for adults living in shelters.
Joseph used these funds on personal expenses including mortgage payments totaling about $235,000, credit card payments around $207,000, car payments amounting to approximately $98,000, Amazon purchases worth $45,000 as well as home remodeling projects, spa treatments, landscaping costs and luxury goods.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric Silverberg from the Public Integrity Section with assistance on forfeiture matters by Assistant United States Attorney Claire S. Kedeshian from Asset Recovery Section and support on restitution matters by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Saavedra from Financial Litigation Program.
Joseph also used several aliases including Marcia James, Marcia Lewis and Marcia Peters; she is 59 years old and resides in Baldwin on Long Island.
