Convicted embezzler facing new charges

The woman convicted two years of ago of stealing thousands of dollars, including $11,000 from a Belmont middle school fundraising organization, is back in court on new allegations of pilfering money from her employer’s coffers.

Lenore Gotelli, 45, of San Mateo, was arrested by San Carlos police last month after her latest employers, concerned about missing funds, reportedly Googled her name and discovered her criminal history in San Mateo County.

According to prosecutors, Gotelli worked as a bookkeeper for the San Carlos company contrary to probation conditions which forbid her from working in any financial capacity. Gotelli allegedly used the company’s credit cards and created phony transactions for more than $100,000. A police search of her home turned up numerous items they believe were purchased with the funds, including a flat-screen television, an oven and rugs.

Authorities held Gotelli on suspicion of violating her parole from those crimes but prosecutors didn’t formally file charges in the latest case until this week.

On Friday, Gotelli faced the violation probation in the morning and the new charges that same afternoon. She asked for more time to hire an attorney and returns to court Jan. 8 for both cases. Meanwhile, she remains in custody on no-bail status.

In October 2005, Judge Mark Forcum sentenced Gotelli to six months in jail, three years of probation and ordered her to pay $10,797.82 in restitution. Gotelli had pleased no contest to two counts of felony embezzlement in return for no more than two years in state prison as long as she repaid the money and enrolled in a rehabilitation program. She received credit for 205 days toward her sentence, essentially leaving her with no incarceration time to serve, but she had a year left on her probation when she allegedly broke the law again.

According to prosecutors, Gotelli wrote herself checks from the Ralston Middle School Athletic Boosters Club and from Action Systems Incorporated, her former Redwood City employer. Gotelli suggested starting a boosters club to raise money for sports at the school and took over financial responsibility. From October 2003 to July 2004, Gotelli made $11,000 in unauthorized cash withdrawals.

When confronted, Gotelli returned the money but other parents still reported it to the Belmont Police Department. Charges were filed Jan. 13. While being investigated and attending court hearings, Gotelli got a job at Action Systems Incorporated in Redwood City. Between Dec. 14, 2004 and Feb. 28, 2005 she embezzled $4,000 from the company by endorsing eight checks to herself.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.