I-Team: Restaurant manager accused of embezzlement

By Jim Taricani
Investigative Reporter
Published: December 2, 2008

JAMESTOWN, R.I.—A Jamestown woman is accused of embezzling thousands of dollars from a restaurant.

Charles “Chuck” Masso, the owner of Chopmist Charlie’s, said he began to suspect one of his employees of fudging her own payroll records.

She had worked her way up to a manager’s position.

“She was with us for about 15 years. She started up as a bus girl and worked her way up through the ranks,“ Masso said.

After reviewing computer records and consulting with the company that maintained the computers, Masso called the Rhode Island State Police and claimed he was out $11,000.

“The complainant basically stated an employee of his, Candi Mooney, was embezzling money from his business. She had access to the database maintaining the payroll, and she was manipulating the payroll (by) obtaining more hours than she was entitled to,“ state police Lt. David Neill said.

Mooney’s attorney, Quintin Anthony, told NBC 10 that the charges are unfounded.

“She was an exemplary employee who had never been disciplined,“ he said.

Masso said shortly after he fired Mooney, someone shot at his house, leaving a hole in a second-floor window. No one has been charged in the shooting.

“I was shocked, very disappointed and disconcerted and extremely surprised this was going on,“ Masso said.

Masso said Mooney is now working down the street at a restaurant owned by Masso’s ex-wife.