Florida Man Ordered To Pay Restitution For Stealing From Garden City Steakhouse

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- A Florida man has been ordered to pay $230,000 in restitution for stealing from his employer.

On Thursday, Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that Barry Pearlstein, 70, had pleaded guilty to stealing from a Garden City Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Pearlstein had been the office manager and income auditor at the restaurant for over 11 years. He pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the 3rd degree and Falsifying Business Records in the 1st degree.

Pearlstein was given a commitment of two consecutive 9-month sentences in jail and full restitution of $230,933.39. He will be back in court for sentencing on March 19.

"Integrity is not a virtue of a bygone age; it remains the guiding principle of all hard-working people, business owners and employees alike," Singas said, "This defendant abused the trust of
his employer and broke the law by taking advantage of his position to steal thousands of dollars from his employer and then lying to conceal his crime. My office will continue its efforts to make sure that this defendant is held accountable for his actions."

Singas said the embezzlement was discovered during an internal investigation conducted between Jan 2009 and May 2014.

Pearlstein moved to Florida after being fired by Ruth's Chris in June 2014.