A Bergen County woman has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $544,000 from a senior and disabled housing facility in Maywood, New Jersey. Elaine Benanti, 69, of Garfield, admitted her actions before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo on January 20, 2026.
Benanti served as the Managing Director of Lydecker Manor, which is operated by the Maywood Senior Citizens Housing Corporation (MSCHC). The facility provides housing for individuals over age 62 or with disabilities and receives significant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
According to court documents and statements made in court, Benanti's duties included supervising employees, providing information to HUD, paying bills for Lydecker Manor, and issuing salary and bonus checks to herself and other employees based on amounts set by the Board of Trustees.
Benanti admitted that between January 2017 and December 2021 she issued salary checks that were significantly higher than those approved by the Board. She also inflated her own bonus payments and provided unauthorized payments to four other employees as well as a supplemental insurance payment to a relative who was not employed at Lydecker Manor.
For example, in 2021 Benanti paid herself more than $40,000 above her approved annual salary of $132,613. She also increased her approved bonus for the previous year by over $2,500. In total, she admitted to embezzling approximately $544,289.95 through these actions.
As part of her plea agreement with the government, Benanti agreed to forfeit this amount. The charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 23, 2026.
Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello credited special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark as well as agents from HUD’s Office of Inspector General under Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice for their work on this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren from the Special Prosecutions Division is representing the government.
"Defense counsel: Anthony J. Iacullo, Esq., Roseland"
