Woman charged for allegedly stealing $400K from auto dealership employer

PROVIDENCE – Michelle Saritelli of South Kingstown has been charged with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft for allegedly stealing as much as $400,000 from a Cranston auto dealership as its office manager and bookkeeper, U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Harold H. Shaw and Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist announced Friday.

According to the DOJ, Saritelli allegedly fraudulently wrote, signed, and cashed and/or deposited Stamas Auto Center non-payroll checks into her own personal bank accounts; pocketed substantial portions of checks written and cashed on a weekly basis to fund the dealership’s petty cash fund; provided fraudulent checks to her husband for auto repair services and parts sales not provided; and stole portions of cash payments made by customers to Stamas Auto Center.

The DOJ also said the majority of the alleged cash withdrawals occurred near Saratelli’s home or at casinos in Newport, Lincoln, and at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

Saratelli was previously convicted in R.I. State Court in 2004 for embezzling from an auto dealership.

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