Bookkeeper Accused Of Stealing $3M From NYC Jewelry Company: DA

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — The former bookkeeper at a New York City-based jewelry company stands accused of stealing nearly $3 million from his employer to bankroll his lavish lifestyle expenses, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Francisco Lopez of Bayside is facing grand larceny and criminal stolen property charges in an indictment unsealed Monday, according to prosecutors.

Between 2014 and 2021, Lopez made thousands of transfers from the Julie Vos business accounts to his personal bank and credit cards, siphoning more than $2.8 million from the jewelry company to pay for high-end cars, trips and accessories, the District Attorney's Office alleged.

Prosecutors claim that Lopez hid the transfers in plain sight — writing them up as corporate expense tallies while using the money to his own benefit, according to the DA.

The seven-year scheme came to an end in April of last year, when American Express asked Julie Vos about payments from the company's accounts that were covering charges on Lopez's personal cards, prosecutors allege.

"Francisco Lopez is charged with capitalizing on his insider access to steal nearly $3 million from a New York City-based business over seven years," said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

"We are dedicated to protecting businesses across our City from all varieties of theft, including fraud from the inside," he added of his office.

Lopez, 36, pleaded not guilty to grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property charges in Manhattan Supreme Court Monday, the New York Post reported, noting that his bail was set at $500,000 cash.