Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau announced today that the controller of a Midtown Manhattan real estate firm has been charged with stealing at least $1.1 million from the company.

The defendant, ELLEN HAUER, 52, was charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the First Degree.   She was arrested late yesterday and was arraigned late last evening.   

The complaint charges that beginning in January 2001, the defendant stole at least $1.1 million from two buildings managed by Hampton Management Company.  The defendant obtained personal credit cards for herself, her two children and her husband, and then paid those bills with checks drawn from accounts belonging to the two buildings managed by Hampton Management – Century Tower and Lenox Terrace.  As controller, the defendant had the authority to sign checks for less than $10,000 for appropriate business purposes. 

For example, the defendant paid credit card bills covering expensive restaurants meals, airline tickets (including a trip to Las Vegas), cable bills and trips on cruise lines She also purchased furs, lingerie, and clothing from Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Victoria’s Secret and Bloomingdale’s, as well as charged the initial costs associated with leasing four Lexus automobiles.  She also purchased furs and jewelry, some of which were recovered pursuant to the execution of search warrants.

HAUER worked for Hampton Management Company for thirty years.  Most recently, HAUER served as the company’s controller with an annual salary of $110,000.  The investigation, which is continuing, began after Hampton Management conducted an internal review and referred the matter to the District Attorney’s Office.

The defendant has been charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree, a class B felony which is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

The investigation is being handled by Assistant District Attorney Gary S. Snitow who is assigned to the District Attorney’s Special Prosecutions Bureau, under the supervision Bureau Chief Thomas Wornom.  Paralegal Andrea Leung also assisted in the investigation.

Mr. Morgenthau thanked the New York Police Department, specifically DA Office Squad (NYPD) Lt. Patrick Johnston and Det. Herman Weisberg.  The District Attorney also thanked American Express, specifically Michael Bachety,  for assistance in this investigation. 

Defendant Info:  ELLEN HAUER, 52, 660 Thwaites Place, Bronx, New York.

 

 

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