Belmont restaurant manager accused of embezzling over $200K

BELMONT, N.C. — A manager at a restaurant in Belmont is facing felony charges after allegedly embezzling over $200,000, police said this weekend.

It happened at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, which is owned by the Jonas family, of Jonas Brothers fame.

According to the Belmont Police Department, Joy Nichols Auten, the famous brothers’ aunt, was arrested and charged with five felony counts of embezzlement by an employee.

Detectives said Auten withdrew $251,986 from a business account between 2016 and 2020 when she only needed to cover about $29,000 in unpaid tips.

BPD says at least $93,039 in cash was deposited into Auten’s personal bank account. It’s not clear what happened to the rest of the money.

The downtown restaurant is a big draw for business.

The Jonas Brothers helped put Nelle’s on the map, which was closed on Monday.

The eatery also helps neighboring businesses.

“With the holidays coming up, seems like there are a lot more tourists coming in,” Louis Coria, co-owner. “We have a lot more people in downtown walking around.”

Local attorney Brent Ratchford said it’s not unusual to see family members charged with stealing from a business.

“It’s going to be people who are close by,” Ratchford said. “People who have a lot of trust. Family members, very close kin.”

He said Auten may avoid prison because police can only show she pocketed less than $100,000.

He said that could be a good thing.

A defendant in prison can’t work to repay the business.

“The DA is going to have to balance the thought of, ‘Do I want the money back and punish, or do I just want to punish?’” Ratchford said.

Nelle’s will be open on Tuesday.

“This was a deliberate and calculated act that significantly impacted a beloved business in our community,” said Belmont Police Chief Boyce “Corky” Falls.

Falls said the department is still investigating. The department is asking anyone with more details to call 704-825-3792.

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