Man admits stealing $125K from Florham Park employer

A former Kushner Co. employee pleaded guilty to theft after forging a $125,000 check, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office said.

LePolian McConnell, 34, of East Orange, a former staff accountant for Kushner Co. in Florham Park, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second degree theft by deception, second degree attempted theft by deception, and second degree conspiracy.

In the guilty plea, McConnell admitted to fraudulently issuing a Kushner Co. check for $125,000 and conspiring with another individual – a construction vendor unauthorized to receive payments - to cash the check at Jersey City Check Cashing in Jersey City, the Prosecutor’s Office said.

The Prosecutor’s Office previously said the check was forged with signatures appearing to be from Kushner’s chief financial officer and the controller of the company.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, the Prosecutor’s Office is recommending McConnell pay restitution and be sentenced to three years in prison.

McConnell is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9.

Prosecutor Fredric Knapp thanked Florham Park Police Department, Florham Park Chief Patrick P. Montuore, and the Financial Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office for assisting in the investigation.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com