An 80-year-old man from Burlington County will be spending the next five years in state prison for stealing over $2.5 million from his employer over a period of 14 years.

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina says Charles Esposito of Hainesport was sentenced on May 21st after he pleaded guilty earlier this year to second-degree theft by deception and third-degree failure to pay income taxes.

Coffina's office says in April, 2019, officials with Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, which is where Esposito worked, began to investigate, "after concerns were raised about a hand-written check for $18,500 that had been signed by the defendant and contained another signature that appeared to have been forged."

Authorities say Esposito was able to circumvent the company’s check issuance policies and from 2005 to 2019, he diverted $2,537,655 through 243 fraudulent transactions, according to Coffina.

Get our free mobile app

"Theft of any kind can be devastating to a company," Coffina said in a statement. "The Prosecutor’s Office and our law enforcement partners stand ready to assist businesses as needed when criminal activity is suspected."

As part of an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Esposito must make full restitution and file several years of amended state income tax returns.

10 NEW JERSEY STORES YOUR PARENTS SHOPPED AT BUT ARE NOW GONE

Former Club House Restaurant in Mays Landing, NJ, is Being Demolished

More From Cat Country 107.3