By Rebecca Henely
A former accountant who embezzled more than $13,600 from television company NBC Universal while working for the hit TV show “30 Rock,” which is filmed in Long Island City, received a conditional discharge last week after repaying the money he stole, the Queens district attorney’s office said.
Matthew Rudolph, a 35-year-old Manhattan resident, had worked on the Tina Fey-created show in its fourth season, which ran from 2009-10, the DA said. NBC is the parent company for the show, which is filmed at Silvercup Studios at 42-22 22nd St. in Long Island City.
During that time, Rudolph faked signatures of approval on more than $7,500 on unauthorized purchases he made on the company credit card in 2010. Rudolph also wrote out two checks totaling $6,000 in 2009, also with forged signatures of approval, the DA said. These purchases required approval of Silvercup Studio’s unit production manager, and the credit card purchases also needed approval of NBC Universal’s comptroller, the DA said.
NBC Universal alerted the DA to the situation, the DA said.
In his arraignment in January, Rudolph was charged with grand larceny, falsifying business records and criminal possession of a forced instrument, charges which could have led to up to seven years in prison, the DA said.
Rudolph pleaded guilty to petit larceny April 12, the DA said. At his sentencing April 26, he received a conditional discharge upon returning the $13,600 he stole, which he did that day, the DA said.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
