Indicted on March 29, Shauna Ilisa, a 35-year-old Irvine resident, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday for the alleged embezzlement of over $3 million from her former employer, Long Beach attorney Gary R. Carlin.
The charges against Ilisa consist of 83 felony counts, including theft from an elderly person and money laundering. In addition, she faces sentencing enhancements related to aggravated white collar crime exceeding $500,000 and a transaction value of over $1 million but less than $2.5 million.
According to court documents presented by Long Beach Police Detective Vincent Nguyenlieu, Ilisa, while serving as Carlin’s office administrator, is accused of pilfering funds from both his personal and professional accounts, as well as those of his wife, Gwyn. The couple had entrusted Ilisa with their financial management based on her alleged claims that the COVID-19 pandemic warranted avoiding physical visits to the bank.
Ngyuenlieu stated, “Gary and Gwyn alleged that Shauna stole millions of dollars from their personal and business accounts. Shauna then used a majority of the money to make purchases.”
The attorney was 78 years old at the start of the embezzlement and 79 when it was discovered.
The losses incurred within Orange County, where the couple resides, are estimated at $3,254,989 for personal accounts and $1,386,867.76 for the law firm. In addition, the couple claims to have suffered additional losses of $82,442 and $125,353.25 on two separate credit cards.
Court documents further reveal that Ilisa acknowledged her financial indiscretions through text and audio messages, expressing her intent to repay Gary. She mentioned attempting to sell her property and possessions to generate the necessary funds.
Ngyuenlieu also highlighted that a significant portion of the misappropriated funds was used for extravagant purchases from various luxury retailers, including Tiffany & Co., Fashionphile, Van Cleef and Arpels, Cartier, the RealReal, and others.
The alleged embezzlement took place between August 5, 2021, and February 9, 2022, with a staggering $1.5 million reportedly taken by Ilisa in September 2021 alone.
Following her arrest on Friday by Newport Beach police, Ilisa appeared for her arraignment in a Santa Ana jail courtroom on Monday, where her attorney, Jeff Voll, requested her release due to “medical conditions.” Bail was initially set at $2 million, with a bail review scheduled for Thursday at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
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