A Profound Betrayal: Former NJ Elderly Housing Director Admits to Embezzling Over Half a Million Dollars

Imagine a place designed to offer solace and stability to our seniors, a non-profit dedicated to ensuring comfortable, affordable housing for the elderly. You'd expect those at the helm to be driven by compassion and integrity, right? Well, a recent development out of Bergen County, New Jersey, paints a rather disheartening picture, revealing a stark betrayal of that very trust.

Patricia N. Alomar, who once held the rather important title of managing director for the Senior Citizens Housing Development Corporation of Bergen County – a mouthful, I know, but essentially a vital organization serving our senior community in Hackensack – has now admitted to systematically siphoning off an astonishing sum. We're talking over $500,000 here, folks. That's half a million dollars, give or take a few cents, that was meant to support vulnerable elderly residents, not line someone's personal pockets.

The details, frankly, are quite damning. For six long years, from about 2017 right up until early 2023, Alomar allegedly engaged in a pattern of deceit that's almost hard to fathom. Federal prosecutors lay out a clear case: she wasn't just making a mistake here and there. No, this was a calculated effort. She reportedly misused company credit cards for personal splurges, fabricated invoices to justify unauthorized bank transfers, and, you know, just generally treated the non-profit's coffers as her personal piggy bank.

And what was all this stolen money used for? Well, it wasn't going towards new amenities for the residents, that's for sure. Instead, the funds allegedly covered a litany of Alomar's personal expenses. Think credit card bills, private school tuition for someone in her family – a luxury many seniors can only dream of affording – and even fancy luxury goods and trips. It really makes you wonder about the priorities, doesn't it?

The weight of her actions finally caught up with her. Just recently, Alomar, a resident of West Milford, appeared before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark and pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. It's a serious charge, carrying a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a hefty fine of up to $250,000, or even double the financial gain or loss, whichever is greater.

What's truly heartbreaking about this whole situation is the breach of faith. This organization exists to provide a crucial safety net for our elderly, offering them a secure and affordable place to live. When someone in a position of power abuses that trust for personal enrichment, it doesn't just impact the organization's balance sheet; it potentially impacts the very services and security offered to those who rely on them most.

The good news, if you can call it that, is that justice is moving forward. Alomar has agreed to pay restitution totaling $522,504.60. Her sentencing is now set for May 12, 2026. This case, brought to light by the diligent work of U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, the FBI, and IRS-Criminal Investigation, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability, especially when dealing with funds meant for our most vulnerable community members. It's a difficult story, but one that certainly needs to be told.