Nassau Man Stole Nearly $500K From Employer: Prosecutors

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Valley Stream man has been charged in connection with the theft of nearly $500,000 from his Ocean-Township-based employer, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Tuesday.

Joseph Hardoon, 28, was charged with second-degree theft by unlawful taking, prosecutors said.

An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecution Office Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit was initiated by a referral from Hardoon’s former employer, after it was discovered that he stole funds while serving as their bookkeeper, Santiago said.

The investigation discovered that between 2021 and 2024, Hardoon stole $497,500 from the company, the prosecutor said.

On Monday, Hardoon was charged and released on a summons, pending future court proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court, Santiago said.

The prosecutor added: "Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and state law."

Hardoon is represented by attorney William Cunningham, who Patch attempted to reach for comment.