DA: Woman with gambling debts stole $1.8 million from job

A New Jersey woman is accused of stealing more than $1.8 million from her Allentown-based employer, in part, to pay off her alleged gambling debts.

Nelann Quigley, 65, of Watchung, is charged with one felony count of theft by unlawful taking.

Prosecutors said Quigley worked at fabric manufacturer Aetna Felt Corporation, located at 2401 W. Emmaus Ave.

Aetna Felt owner James Weppler called police Feb. 13 to report $700,000 in business funds had been stolen between January 2012 and January 2014.

Further investigation revealed the thefts actually dated back to 2008 and amounted to nearly $2 million, according to an affidavit of probable cause for arrest filed by Allentown police.

Police said Weppler turned over copies of about 267 checks that had been written against Aetna Felt's business account without permission over the past six years.

The total loss from the unauthorized checks was determined to be about $1.85 million.

Quigley allegedly endorsed all of the checks. Investigators said the payments were made to Bank of America card services, All State Insurance, Toyota Financial, Discover Financial, the Jared Galleria of Jewelry and to Quigley herself.

Police said the investigation also revealed that Quigley, from October 2012 through February 2014, had a Sands Casino player card and racked up gambling losses totaling more than $770,000.

Quigley turned herself into authorities Friday and was slated to be arraigned in Lehigh County Central Booking.