The Stroum Jewish Community Center has accused its former accounting manager, 35-year-old Aik (Wayne) Weng Hong, of embezzling $14,938.20 between January 2009 and May 2010. Hong is suspected of adding money to his paycheck and manipulating journal entries to hide the theft, according to CEO Judy Neuman’s statement to Mercer Island Police.

Hong’s replacement notified Neuman of the missing monies on May 27, one day before Hong’s last day of employment at the SJCC.

Associate Executive Director Matt Grogan was also alerted of Hong’s embezzlement and reported to the police, “Hong was seen at local casinos during times he claimed to be ill.”

The SJCC requested the former employee’s pay stubs from Paychex, Inc. and found that “Hong was getting paid more than he should,” according to the police report.

Hong was arrested and taken into custody the following day in Renton. He was charged for theft in the first degree, a felony crime, on June 1 and released.

The Mercer Island Police Department referred the case to the King County Prosecutor’s office June 18 on a non-rush basis. It is currently under review in the economic crimes unit.