Tax Preparer Steals $8K from Employer In Poughkeepsie, Police Say

A 29-year-old man from Poughkeepsie, New York, is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly misappropriating client payments and documents, resulting in a theft of over $8,000 from his employer. Jonathan Yousef Sawaged, a certified tax preparer, was arrested on January 21, 2025, following a fraud investigation by the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department.

Allegations and Investigation

Authorities began investigating Sawaged after receiving a complaint on October 17, 2024, that he mishandled client funds and sensitive documents while working at a local tax preparation firm. Detectives found that Sawaged had taken more than $8,000 from the company, though there is currently no evidence suggesting that individual clients were directly defrauded. As a result of the investigation, Sawaged has been charged with third-degree grand larceny and 16 counts of second-degree forgery.

Legal Consequences and Arrest

Following his arrest, Sawaged was arraigned at the Town of Poughkeepsie Justice Court and released under the supervision of probation. His charges reflect the severity of the alleged misconduct, especially in the financial services sector, where trust is paramount. The case has raised concerns about internal safeguards within financial firms to prevent fraud and theft by employees.

Connection to Financial Industry

Sawaged is no stranger to the financial industry. Prior to his arrest, he was working as an investment advisor at Quint Investments and Insurance, a role he began in September 2024. Before that, he was registered with B. Riley Wealth Management, where he was terminated for mishandling client payments while working at an affiliated tax services entity.