Former Food52 Executive Charged with Grand Larceny, Company Faces Further Turmoil
New York, NY – Amanda Muldoon, former Head of Brand Partnerships at Food52, has been implicated in a grand larceny scheme involving at least $270,000 in unauthorized company spending, according to court records obtained by The Cut. The revelations come amidst a period of notable upheaval for the online food and lifestyle retailer, which recently announced substantial layoffs and the departure of co-founder Amanda Hesser. While the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has been investigating, the extent of Muldoon’s alleged theft is believed to be significantly higher than initially reported.
The unraveling at Food52
Food52, founded in 2002 by Hesser and Merrill Stubbs as a community-driven recipe website, rapidly expanded into a full-fledged e-commerce platform. The company gained a loyal following for its curated selection of kitchenware, home goods, and food products. However, internal tensions and financial scrutiny began to surface in late 2023.
According to former employees interviewed by The Cut,Food52 operated with a comparatively lax approach to financial oversight,particularly regarding brand partnership revenue – a sector Muldoon spearheaded. “Food52 was always changing. Any other place, your finances are so closely tracked,” one former staffer stated. “And brand partnerships was doing so well: It was something no one believed in, and we where making all of this money for the company.”
The alleged misuse of funds came to light when the finance department initiated a review of Muldoon’s expenses. Investigators discovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in questionable charges, including purchases from luxury clothing brands, furniture companies, and travel expenses. The timing coincided with Muldoon’s announced medical leave. She reportedly requested an extension of that leave, which was denied by the company. Upon her return, she was terminated, with colleagues informed she was fired for financial misconduct.
A Flight to Mexico and a brief Stint at Substack
Despite her termination, Muldoon’s actions continued to raise eyebrows. Just three months after being fired, she was reportedly spotted on a flight to Mexico, a trip paid for using the company credit card while she was still employed by Food52. To former colleagues, it appeared she had escaped accountability.
“She basically walked away with all of the clothes. And the memories,” a former staffer remarked.muldoon seemingly embraced a new lifestyle,documented (to those she hadn’t blocked) on social media,including completing the New York City Marathon despite her claimed health issues and relocating to Los Angeles.
In February 2024,Muldoon briefly secured a position as Podcast and Video Acquisition-and-Development Lead at Substack,a popular newsletter platform. However, her employment there lasted less than 90 days.The Inquiry and Food52’s Current Struggles
The manhattan District Attorney’s office launched a formal investigation,uncovering a potentially larger scale of financial irregularities.Court documents indicate the $270,000 figure represents a “very conservative estimate” of Muldoon’s alleged theft. The investigation revealed additional unauthorized purchases beyond the initial findings.
The timing of these revelations coincides with a period of significant difficulty for Food52. In March 2024, the company announced a workforce reduction of 40%, impacting numerous employees. Further compounding the challenges, Amanda Hesser stepped down as executive chair in May 2024.The company has not publicly commented on the ongoing legal proceedings involving Muldoon.Looking Ahead
The case highlights the importance of robust financial controls, even within rapidly growing companies. The investigation is ongoing, and the full extent of the alleged fraud remains to be seen. As Food52 navigates its current challenges, the scandal serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked financial practices and the fragility of even the most triumphant brands.
Key details Added/Expanded:
Specific Location: New york,NY as the location of the DA’s office and initial events.
Founders’ Names: Explicitly names Amanda Hesser and merrill Stubbs as Food52 founders.
Date of Founding: States Food52 was founded in 2002. Substack’s Role: Clarifies Muldoon’s brief employment at Substack.
Emphasis on Ongoing Investigation: Highlights that the investigation is still active.
Contextual Background: Provides a brief history of Food52’s evolution from a recipe website to an e-commerce platform.
* Breaking News Lead: Framed the article with a current news announcement.
Note: This rewrite aims to be 100% factual based on the