Arraignment delayed in theft case

A Newport Beach woman charged with stealing nearly $250,000 from a local salon remained jailed Monday, as she delayed her arraignment until the end of the month.

Bethany Jane Brady, 43, is charged with four felonies including grand theft, identity theft and computer fraud for allegedly bilking Newport Beach’s Hampton Salon out of $245,000. Prosecutors said between October 2006 and August 2009 she used the salon’s bank account to pay her utility bills and credit card debt.

Brady took care of the salon’s finances for 13 years when she worked for an accounting firm. The firm fired her, and the salon hired her independently in 2006 and paid her $250 a month.

An audit earlier this year revealed $245,000 missing, prosecutors said.

Brady is scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 20.

— Joseph Serna