Teresina DeAlmeida, a former assistant dean at the Seton Hall Law School, was sentenced on December 5, 2024, to 36 months in prison for her role in embezzling over $1.3 million from the institution.
U.S. District Judge Julien Xavier Neals handed down the sentence, which also includes two years of supervised release and restitution of approximately $1,397,000.
DeAlmeida, 59, of Warren, New Jersey, was convicted along with two co-conspirators, Rose Martins, 44, of East Hanover, New Jersey, and Silvia Cardoso, 61, also of Warren.
The trio had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The crimes occurred between 2009 and 2022, with DeAlmeida abusing her position of trust in the university’s financial operations.
Through forgery, fraudulent invoices, unauthorized transactions and phony shell companies, they stole money intended to benefit the school and its student body and abused their positions.
DeAlmeida is registered to vote in Somerset County and Martins is registered to vote in Morris County. They are both affiliated with the Republican Party.
According to court documents, DeAlmeida and her co-conspirators used various fraudulent schemes to divert university funds for personal gain.
These included directing a graduate school vendor to issue payments to Martins and Cardoso under false pretenses, submitting fraudulent invoices for nonexistent goods and services, and using school-issued credit cards for unauthorized personal purchases.
DeAlmeida’s role as assistant dean gave her access to financial resources, which she exploited by approving and authorizing payments for goods that were never delivered.
This included purchasing gift cards, prepaid debit cards, and personal items like electronics and clothing.
Federal authorities emphasized the impact of the crime on the university, which was intended to benefit students but had funds siphoned off for personal enrichment.
“The defendant abused her position of trust as an assistant dean to orchestrate an elaborate embezzlement scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. “My office is committed to relentlessly prosecuting those who commit financial frauds.”
Seton Hall spokesperson Michael Hyland said that the sentencing of a “former long-time, trusted employee of Seton Hall Law School” marks the conclusion of a case that came to light during the university’s internal audit.
“While the actions of those involved violated the trust of our community, they do not represent the values and integrity that define Seton Hall University,” Hyland said.
Hyland stated that the university has improved safeguards, including “enhanced financial controls and oversight procedures aimed at maintaining the ongoing integrity of Seton Hall’s operations.”
IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent Jenifer L. Piovesan stated, “Financial fraud like this will not be tolerated,” while FBI Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Nelson I. Delgado highlighted the importance of investigative efforts to hold wrongdoers accountable.
In addition to the prison sentence, DeAlmeida must make full restitution to the graduate school, reinforcing the financial damage caused by the scheme.
The IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI, and the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General led the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Silane and Aja Espinosa of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark prosecuted the case.
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