Ex-Midway Museum worker pleads not guilty to theft

A woman who spent three years as the accounting manager of the USS Midway Museum pleaded not guilty Friday to stealing $111,000 by intercepting 21 separate cash deposits.

Veronica Gonzalez Monay, 35, was charged with one count each of grand theft and embezzlement and an allegation that more than $65,000 was taken. She faces up to four years in state prison if convicted, said Deputy District Attorney James Teh.

The prosecutor told Judge David Szumowski that when a financial officer at the museum informed Monay of cash irregularities, the defendant resigned with two days notice.

An investigative audit led authorities straight to Monay, Teh said. He said Monay had a 1997 conviction for similar conduct which was expunged in 2004.

Monay, who has a degree in accounting, was employed in the same field at a different firm in Eastlake when she was arrested, officials said.

Szumowski ordered the defendant held on $100,000 bail and scheduled a preliminary hearing for July 23. A readiness conference was set for July 21.

The USS Midway Museum, which is operated by a nonprofit organization, opened in June 2004 and features 60 exhibits with a collection of 25 restored aircraft in downtown San Diego.

Tags: SDNN

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