Former Hollywood Casino Employee Accused of Stealing Over $700K

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State police are investigating a former bookkeeper at Hollywood Casino Penn National in Pennsylvania who is accused of embezzling over $727,000 from the casino over the course of nearly a year. The suspect, Jennifer Petrillo, has been charged with multiple felonies and faces a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerabilities that casinos and other businesses face when it comes to insider theft and the importance of robust financial controls and oversight. It also raises questions about how such a large sum could be misappropriated over an extended period before being detected.

The details

According to authorities, Petrillo, who worked as a bookkeeper at the casino, allegedly abused her position to misappropriate funds by creating fictitious accounts and issuing unauthorized checks. The discrepancies were first noticed by another employee filling in for Petrillo during a medical leave. Police were able to trace the stolen funds to various personal expenses made by Petrillo, including spa treatments, plastic surgeries, LEGO purchases, a Tesla, and investments.

• The investigation began on March 17, 2025, after casino employees reported suspicious activity.
• The alleged embezzlement scheme dates back to June 2024, shortly after Petrillo began working at the casino.

What’s next

Petrillo is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 24, and if convicted, she faces a lengthy prison sentence.