Published on: March 16, 2026, 11:23h.
Updated on: March 16, 2026, 11:23h.
- Pennsylvania authorities claim a Hollywood Penn National employee embezzled $727,000 from the racebook
- A bookkeeper purportedly redirected the funds to her own accounts
- Among her luxury acquisitions was a Tesla, according to police reports
The Pennsylvania State Police have outlined in official documents that a former employee at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course exploited her role as a part-time bookkeeper to misappropriate a significant sum from the venue’s racebook.
In a public statement, the Pennsylvania State Police detailed multiple allegations of financial misconduct against Jennifer Petrillo from Manheim. Now 53, she stands accused of redirecting at least $727,446.65 from the Hollywood Casino racebook to personal accounts that she and an accomplice managed.
In March 2025, management at Hollywood Casino Penn National alerted the Pennsylvania State Police concerning previously identified suspicious activities. An employee noted multiple irregularities potentially involving fake accounts and unrecognized individuals or businesses, along with improperly filled-out documents and many dubious transactions,” the PSP reported.
Management at Hollywood Casino determined that these discrepancies were intentional, not mere clerical mistakes. Further investigations revealed that Petrillo had “colluded with a family member” to fraudulently move large sums of money to fictitious accounts, identities, and businesses.
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is a property managed by Penn Entertainment, which is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties, a real estate investment trust that spun off from Penn.
Luxury Items Linked to Alleged Theft
Law enforcement in Pennsylvania suspects that Petrillo’s fraudulent activities commenced in June 2024, identified as the time when the first suspicious transaction from the racebook’s account was noted.
The fraudulent accounts that diverted almost $730,000 financed a range of luxury purchases, including spa services, cosmetic surgeries, and a Tesla Model 3. The criminal complaint indicates that substantial amounts were funneled into a Cash App and Robinhood account associated with Petrillo.
In addition to financial services, the Robinhood platform features a prediction market allowing users to wager on the outcomes of various future events, including sports.
Records from the Pennsylvania courts reveal that Petrillo faces eight felony charges, including first-degree felonies for unlawful taking and knowingly possessing property derived from illegal activities. If convicted, she could spend decades behind bars.
Petrillo maintains a clean legal record in Pennsylvania, with the exception of a few traffic-related offenses.
Access to Racebook Accounts
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course informed authorities that Petrillo was one of only three employees permitted access to the racebook holding account. This account was reportedly maintained through an online bookkeeping software used for managing financial transactions at the parimutuel wagering facility.
Penn National is one of just three remaining Thoroughbred racetracks in Pennsylvania, alongside Parx Racing in Bensalem and Presque Isle Downs in Erie. Parimutuel wagering at these tracks falls under the governance of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association.