Joy Nichols Auten, a former manager of Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in Belmont—owned by the parents of the Jonas Brothers—has just been charged with five felony counts of embezzlement. According to detectives from the Belmont Police Department, Auten embezzled approximately $223,000 while managing the restaurant between June 2016 and March 2020.
According to the Belmont Police, Auten withdrew over $251,000 from the restaurant’s account, with only $28,798 needed for unpaid tips, resulting in a significant amount of unaccounted cash. Investigators also uncovered that at least $93,039 in cash was deposited into Auten’s personal bank account during the same timeframe.
She was booked into the Gaston County Jail before being released on a $25,000 bond.
This is an ongoing investigation – if you have any additional info, please call the Belmont PD – 704-825-3792.
