Manager of The Jonas Brothers’ family restaurant is arrested for nefarious, years-long fraud scheme
The former manager of a North Carolina restaurant owned by the Jonas Brothers’ parents was arrested for allegedly orchestrating a years-long theft scheme.
Joy Nichols Auten, 53, the former manager of Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in the small town of Belmont, allegedly stole more than $200,000 from the restaurant, WBTV reported.
Police records showed that Auten withdrew $251,986, when she only had to withdraw $28,798.47. An investigation revealed that $93,039 had been deposited into her bank account during that time, police said.
Auten systematically drained the restaurant’s coffers between June 2016 and March 2020, according to court documents cited by NBC Charlotte.
“This was a deliberate and calculated act that significantly impacted a beloved business in our community,” Belmont Police Chief Boyce Falls said in a written statement.
Joy Nichols Auten, 53, was the manager of Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in North Carolina. She is now accused of systematically stealing money from the restaurant
Auten is pictured on vacation in February 2023, over a year before her arrest
Pictured: Kevin Jonas Sr., father of the Jonas Brothers, stands in front of Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in Belmont, North Carolina
The Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin and Nick) and their parents Kevin Jonas Sr. and Denise Jonas arrive at the grand opening of Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in Las Vegas in June 2022
“The Belmont Police Department is committed to thoroughly investigating these types of financial crimes to ensure justice is served.”
Auten was charged with five counts of embezzlement by an employee, according to police records.
Records show Auten was booked into the Gaston County Jail on Monday and later released after posting $25,000 bail.
Just days before her arrest, Auten posted a message on Instagram that said, “always stay positive.”
Kevin and Denise Jonas, the mother and father of pop stars Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas, own the restaurant in North Carolina and another location in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Both restaurants are named after Kevin Sr.’s grandmother, Nellie Jonas, who reportedly served many of the dishes on the restaurant’s menu.
The Las Vegas location opened in June 2022 at the MGM Grand Casino.
The flagship restaurant in North Carolina opened in 2016.