By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-26 00:26:33 | Updated at 2024-11-27 18:54:49
1 day ago
The former manager of a North Carolina restaurant owned by the Jonas Brothers' parents was arrested for allegedly orchestrating a years-long theft scheme.
Joy Nichols Auten, 53, the onetime manager of Nellie's Southern Kitchen in the small town of Belmont, allegedly stole more than $200,000 from the restaurant, WBTV reported.
Police records indicated that Auten withdrew $251,986 when she only needed to take out $28,798.47. An investigation revealed that $93,039 was deposited into her bank account during that time, according to police.
Auten systematically drained the restaurant's coffers from June 2016 to March 2020, according to court records cited by NBC Charlotte.
'This was a deliberate and calculated act that significantly impacted a beloved business in our community,' Belmont Police Chief Boyce Falls said in a written statement.
Joy Nichols Auten, 53, was the manager of Nellie's Southern Kitchen in North Carolina. She's now been accused of systematically stealing money from the restaurant
Auten is pictured on vacation in Feburary 2023, over a year before her arrest
Pictured: Kevin Jonas Sr., the father of the Jonas Brothers, stands in front of Nellie's Southern Kitchen in Belmont, North Carolina
The Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin and Nick) and their parents Kevin Jonas Sr. and Denise Jonas arrive at the grand opening of Nellie's Southern Kitchen in Las Vegas in June 2022
'The Belmont Police Department is committed to thoroughly investigating financial crimes like this to ensure justice is served.'
Auten was charged with five counts of embezzlement by an employee, according to police records.
Records show Auten was booked into the Gaston County jail on Monday and was later released after she posted a $25,000 bond.
Just days before her arrest, Auten posted a message on Instagram that said: 'always remain positive.'
Kevin and Denise Jonas, the mother and father of pop stars Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas, own the restaurant in North Carolina and another location in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Both restaurants are named after Kevin Sr.'s grandmother, Nellie Jonas, who reportedly served many of the dishes that are on the restaurant's menu.
The Las Vegas location opened in June 2022 at the MGM Grand casino.
The flagship restaurant in North Carolina opened its doors in 2016.
