Woman admits stealing $108K from fitness center former employer

MORRISTOWN — A 30-year-old Wharton woman admitted today that she stole $108,445 from her former employer, the

Lyndsey Christman pleaded guilty in Superior Court in Morristown to a charge of theft. Under her plea agreement with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, she agreed to pay the full $108,445 in restitution and  will be sentenced to three years in state prison.

Christman will be eligible for admission into the state’s Intensive Supervision Program. Her attorney, Michael Baldassare, said he is hopeful she can be released in about six months. Her sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 3.

Christman admitted that she had access to cash that the fitness center took in and stole the money from November 2008 through December 2011.

Christman worked as a front-desk supervisor, where she accepted payments for club fees and personal training along with such items as protein powder, juices, headphones and gloves, Model A Fitness president Peter Gorham said in an interview.

Christman found “a hole in the process,” but  the thefts were discovered by another supervisor who initially noticed a “discrepancy” of 42 cents, said Gorham. After the supervisor investigated further, she discovered there were constant discrepancies, except during periods when Christman was on vacation, Gorham said.

Christman’s attorney, Baldassare, said she “has fully and unequivocally accepted responsibility for her actions. Lyndsey is looking forward to putting this behind her.”