FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Suspect Ellen Mangundayao	Suspect Mark Mangundayao
ARRESTED	ARRESTED

On May 23, 2025, the San José Police Department responded to a report of embezzlement at a casino business located in the city of San José. The business, upon identifying suspicious activity, immediately contacted SJPD and has remained cooperative and transparent throughout the ongoing investigation, providing information and assistance as needed.

The preliminary investigation revealed that between May 1, 2025 and May 22, 2025, an adult female suspect—who was not employed by the casino but worked as a third-party player through a vendor contracted by the casino—had been embezzling gaming chips from the business. The suspect then provided the chips to her husband, who cashed them out at the same location.

With assistance from the SJPD Division of Gaming Control, the SJPD Financial Crimes Unit began a comprehensive investigation and identified two suspects: Suspect Ellen Mangundayao and Suspect Mark Mangundayao. The suspects are believed to have conspired in the embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of dollars over several years.

Detectives obtained arrest warrants for the suspects and search warrants for two associated residences in the city of San José. With the assistance of the SJPD Crime Scene Unit, Assaults Unit, Special Victims Unit, and Patrol Officers, Detectives located the suspects in the city of San José.

When Detectives apprehended Suspect Ellen Mangundayao, she had approximately $4,750 worth of casino chips on her person. During the execution of the search warrants, Detectives located and seized over $75,000 in cash and approximately $10,000 worth of additional casino chips.

On May 30, 2025, Suspects Ellen Mangundayao and Mark Mangundayao were booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail for felony embezzlement and conspiracy.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Detective Corini #5029 of the San José Police Department Financial Crimes Unit via email: 5029@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4654.

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