NJ food catering employee charged with ‘cooking the books’

EAST AMWELL — A Lambertville woman is in hot water after being accused of ripping off the catering company she worked for.

Kay Hayes, 54, has been charged with theft, forgery, uttering and tampering with records after stealing more than $112,000 from the Hunterdon County company over the course of a year, State Police said.

State Police began investigation after Hayes' employer reported suspicious transactions in her company's financial records. The owner was alerted to the activity when her bank notified her about unexpectedly missed mortgage payments.

Investigators found that Hayes wrote herself checks to cover fabricated company expenses and opened a line of credit using her employer's identity.

She was arrested Nov. 9 and taken to Somerset County Jail with bail set at $50,000 with a 10 percent option.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.

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