Accountant from East Rockaway charged with allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from condiment company

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A certified public accountant from East Rockaway has been charged with allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Great Neck-based condiments company and spending the funds on personal luxuries, including golf and a beach cabana.

According to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office, Barry Rosner, 64, was arraigned Tuesday before Judge Lisa Petrocelli on one count of second-degree grand larceny and eight counts of first-degree falsifying business records. The maximum sentence on the top count is five to 15 years in prison. Rosner was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on July 12.

According to the criminal complaint, Rosner was employed as the chief financial officer and controller of Old Dutch Mustard/USA Vinegar, a former Great Neck-based condiments company now in New Hampshire. Rosner had worked closely with the company’s co-founder until his death in February 2015.

Months after the co-founder’s death, Rosner allegedly began embezzling thousands of dollars from the company – amounts between $2,000 and $4,000 – through wires into his personal bank account.

As the theft continued, Rosner allegedly stole larger amounts of money, about $10,000 or more each month in 2018. The investigation showed Rosner spent the embezzled funds on golf, a beach cabana, clothing, dining and credit card bills.

The theft was ultimately uncovered when the condiments company hired outside accountants in 2019 and confronted Rosner, who was later terminated.  The company referred the alleged conduct to the county's district attorney.            

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Investigative Counsel Richard Sikes of the district attorney's Financial Crimes Bureau. The defendant is represented by Steven J. Harfenist, Esq.

Reached for comment on Thursday afternoon, Harfenist was in a meeting and unable to speak to a  Herald reporter. 

The district attorney's office requests that anyone who believes they were a victim of fraud by Rosner contact the Financial Crimes Bureau at (516) 571-2149.