Release Date: September 11, 2009

Contact:

Marc Leventhal, Senior Deputy District Attorney

(805) 662-1715

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced the arrest of Elizabeth Ann Jones (DOB 01/23/66), a 43-year-old Newbury Park resident, following the filing of a felony complaint on August 28, 2009, charging her with grand theft, forgery, computer fraud, and the aggravated white collar crime enhancement. The charges against Jones followed an investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

Jones worked for 18 years as a bookkeeper for Conejo Valley Women's Group, a medical practice. In December 2008, her employer discovered some suspicious purchases paid for with company funds. This led to the termination of Jones' employment and an audit of company checks issued since 2002. The audit uncovered that Jones had forged and issued hundreds of company checks to herself and her creditors, and to creditors of her family members. Jones is alleged to have stolen more than $950,000.

Jones was arrested on September 10, 2009. She was released from custody after posting a $30,000 bail bond. Her arraignment is set for September 18, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. in division 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. If convicted of all charges, Jones faces a maximum sentence of nine years, four months in state prison .