News Summary
A 50-year-old woman from Huntington Beach has pleaded guilty to 10 felonies involving the embezzlement of more than $2.8 million from her employer, a noodle manufacturer. Tae Miyaji Jones exploited her position as an account manager to illegally transfer funds into her accounts over six years. She faces a possible 20 years in prison for each felony charge. Jones used the stolen money for personal expenses, luxury items, and real estate, highlighting the vulnerabilities within corporate financial systems.
Huntington Beach Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Over $2.8 Million
A 50-year-old woman from Huntington Beach has pleaded guilty to 10 felonies related to the embezzlement of over $2.8 million from her employer, a manufacturer of instant noodles. Tae Miyaji Jones entered her plea in federal court on October 2, with charges including seven counts of mail fraud and three counts of wire fraud.
Jones, who was employed as an account manager at the Garden Grove-based company from 2010 until her termination in 2023, exploited her access to the company’s financial systems, records, and corporate accounts to transfer substantial amounts of money into her personal accounts. Authorities stated that this illicit activity occurred over a period of nearly six years, specifically from December 2017 to July 2023.
Currently, Jones is out on bond and is set to face sentencing on April 2, 2026. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized the scale of the fraud, revealing that Jones mailed checks to herself, which ranged from $16,800 to $58,800, to conceal her fraudulent actions, such as recording a transaction intended for personal credit card debt as a payment for vendor costs.
Nature of the Embezzlement
According to the court documents, Jones used the embezzled funds for various personal expenses, which included financing home mortgages, luxury items, car loans, and credit card payments. She purchased properties in Madison, Alabama, and Waikoloa, Hawaii, and acquired high-end items from brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry. Additionally, she bought jewelry from Tiffany & Co., all of which she has agreed to forfeit as part of her plea agreement.
Methods of Concealment
To hide her misappropriation of funds, Jones engaged in various deceptive practices. She falsified company records and specifically mailed herself company checks, which she then deposited into her bank accounts. The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that in one instance, she sent a check worth over $40,000 intended to pay for personal credit card debt while disguising the transaction as a vendor payment.
Background and Larger Context
Jones’ case exposes the vulnerabilities in corporate financial systems that can allow embezzlement to persist unnoticed for extended periods. Historically, embezzlement cases often go undetected, allowing perpetrators to exploit their positions before being caught. This case serves as a critical reminder of the importance of stringent oversight within financial operations across businesses to prevent and detect potential fraudulent activities.
Prior to her criminal activities, Jones was linked to Sanyo Foods Corp., as described in her LinkedIn profile. Her actions, which led to a significant financial loss for the company she served, illustrate the potential risks associated with high levels of access granted to employees in financial roles.
As the legal proceedings continue, attention will focus on the response of both the legal system and companies to enhance safeguards against such fraudulent actions in the workplace.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Huntington Beach Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Over $2.8 Million
- Orange County Register: Homes, Jewels, and Designer Bags – Huntington Beach Woman Admits Embezzling $2.8 Million
- Los Angeles Times: OC Woman Stole $2.8 Million to Buy Jewelry and Designer Bags
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Embezzlement
- CBS News: Former Elementary School Manager Sentenced to Prison After Embezzling Over $2 Million
- Google Search: Embezzlement
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
