Woman Arrested for Embezzling From Del. Employer

MILLSBORO, Del.- Delaware State Police have arrested a Salisbury, Md. woman accused of embezzling more than $400,000 from a Millsboro business where she worked as a bookkeeper.

Valerie D. Onley, 41, is charged with theft over $100,000; two counts of theft over $50,000 but less than $100,000; 25 counts of theft over $1,500; six counts of unlawful use of a credit card; second-degree conspiracy; 26 counts of falsifying Business Records; and two counts of failure to pay Delaware state taxes.

According to police, Onley was employed with Westwood Farms Inc. on Esham Lane in Millsboro since September of 2008 where she was a bookkeeper. Investigators said that between August of 2009 and August of 2011, she was the primary person in charge of payroll, paying bills, and all finances. Police said Onley then began to steal money from the company by writing checks to herself and her husband, using business credit cards for personal purchases, and using the company funds to pay her personal bills. Authorities said that in all, the theft totaled more than $400,000.

Police said Onley's husband, James A. Onley, 41, also of Salisbury, is facing the same charges as his wife, due to him cashing more than $20,000 worth of checks that were written to him on the business account. He is currently incarcerated in Maryland on an unrelated matter and will be processed on the charges upon his return to Delaware, police said.

Following her arrest on the aforementioned charges, Valerie Onley was ordered held in the Delores J. Baylor Correctional Institute on $24,500 secured bail.