Ex-Employee Of Palo Alto Restaurants Accused Of Embezzling $200K

PALO ALTO, CA — A former payroll director of two downtown Palo Alto restaurants was charged with embezzlement, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday.

Jennifer Colvin, a 40-year-old Oakland resident and the director of human resources, payroll and risk management, was accused of embezzling more than $200,000 from the owner of Rangoon Ruby and Burma Ruby between Feb. 2019 and Oct. 2020, according to prosecutors.

The suspected fraud, which prosecutors said included Colvin twice giving herself $15,000 bonuses, was detected in Nov. 2020 by the restaurants’ owner, according to prosecutors. Investigators said that Colvin also purchased a $65,000 Porsche.

“This theft happened during the height of the pandemic, when local restaurants were already struggling,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. “Please develop robust checks and balances for your business. Trust but verify. Your livelihood depends on it.”

The two jointly-owned restaurants also filed a lawsuit against Colvin in Santa Clara County Superior Court last October detailing the allegations and seeking $286,000 in damages. Colvin, who was fired that month, filed a cross complaint in January with a number of allegations against the restaurants, including wrongful termination, gender discrimination and harassment. The restaurants denied the allegations in a response, according to court documents.

Colvin was arraigned Wednesday on two felony counts of theft by an employee. If convicted, she could face jail time and be required to pay restitution to the company.