Janet Lee Blissitt, Embezzlement, New Jersey 2021

A shocking tale of greed and deception has unfolded in the Garden State, as a former bookkeeper is accused of embezzling a staggering $3 million from a law firm in Boca Raton, Florida. Janet Lee Blissitt, 66, of Margate, Florida, is facing serious charges after allegedly stealing the funds over a six-month period, from October 2021 to March 2022.

According to the complaint filed against Blissitt, she had access to several business bank accounts, including client trust accounts, while working as a bookkeeper and assistant at the law firm. She allegedly transferred money from the firm’s accounts to her personal account and other business bank accounts in New Jersey and Ohio, falsifying records to cover her tracks.

The wire fraud charge carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain to the defendant or loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. Blissitt was arrested earlier this morning and made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick M. Hunt in Fort Lauderdale, Florida federal court. She was released on $150,000 bond.

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Messenger in Newark and Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith in Cleveland, Ohio, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Boca Raton Police Services Department for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie L. Hoxie of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark. The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Janet Lee Blissitt, 66, is the defendant in this case. The exact criminal charge is one count of wire fraud. This incident took place in Boca Raton, Florida. The estimated date of the crime is October 2021 to March 2022. The sentence or outcome of the case is pending.

Blissitt is accused of embezzling an estimated $3 million from the law firm. She was released on $150,000 bond.

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