Bookkeeper in Northfield Accounting Firm Charged with Theft by Deception
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levsinon Among Crime Victims

By VIRGINIA McCABE
Published June 25, 2009

A bookkeeper at a Northfield accounting firm and former treasurer of the “Friends of Dennis Levison” campaign fund, was arrested and charged today with two counts of theft by deception for allegedly writing checks to herself totaling over $107,879 for personal use, according to a statement released by Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel.

Patricia Ahearn, 31, of Egg Harbor City, was arrested on charges of diverting money from three clients into her own checking account.

"The prosecutor told me yesterday," said Dennis Levinson. "They were arrested her today and she admitted to the theft. Needless to say, I am very disappointed."

"A few of the checks were written and cashed by her and the rest were deposited into her personal checking account," stated Financial Crimes Unit Detective Edwin Cintron, the lead investigator in the case.

Ahearn turned herself in to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit this morning and she was later released on a summons.

The Prosector stated that on May 28, 2009 Michael Goloff, Certified Public Accountant in Northfield, and his wife, Carol Goloff, contacted the Prosecutor’s Office to report the theft.

They advised law enforcement that they fired Ahearn as soon as they suspected her of stealing money from their clients.

Ahearn allegedly wrote a check to herself in the amount of over $25,000 for the Friends of Dennis Levinson account, and over $25,000 for the Emma Mary Amato Trust account. Ahearn took the remaining of the $107, 879 from the Island Medical Associates Pa account, according to the Prosecutor..

Aherns is expected in the Northfield Municipal court on July 1. The alleged thefts occurred from December 2007 to March 2009, during the course of her employment.

It looks like she stole some money and I was victimized like others," said Levinson."You would never suspect her she is very innocent looking and very nice but she was dishonest."