By: Richard L. Smith
A Bergen County woman has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than half a million dollars from a senior housing facility in Maywood where she once held a top leadership role, federal authorities announced.
According to Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello, Elaine Benanti, 69, of Garfield, admitted in federal court on January 20, 2026, that she stole and fraudulently obtained more than $544,000 from the Maywood Senior Citizens Housing Corporation, which operates Lydecker Manor in Maywood.
Benanti entered her guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo, admitting to violating federal law by misappropriating funds that were under the care and control of the housing corporation.
Lydecker Manor is a 136-unit residential facility that provides housing for seniors over the age of 62 and individuals with disabilities.
Court records and statements made during the plea hearing show that Benanti served as managing director of Lydecker Manor from January 2017 through December 2021.
In that role, she oversaw staff, handled payments of facility expenses, and submitted required information to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which provided substantial funding to the property.
Prosecutors said Benanti abused her authority by issuing herself and other employees salary, bonus, and retirement-related payments far beyond what had been approved by the facility’s Board of Trustees.
Benanti acknowledged that in 2021 alone, she paid herself more than $40,000 above her approved annual salary of $132,613 and inflated a previously approved bonus by more than $2,500.
She also admitted to issuing unauthorized payments to at least four other employees over several years and approving a supplemental insurance payment to a relative who was not employed by the facility.
In total, Benanti admitted to embezzling approximately $544,289.95 through these actions. As part of her plea agreement, she agreed to forfeit the full amount stolen.
The federal embezzlement charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Benanti is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2026.
This article is based on information released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.