Latest news with #PalmBeachEquineClinic
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida woman busted for pocketing $400K of co-worker's salary due to payroll error — thought it was a ‘bonus'
For nearly a year, 29-year-old Yessica Arrua was living like a high-earning veterinarian despite working as a receptionist at a Florida horse clinic. Thanks to a payroll mix-up, Arrua, who is originally from Argentina, allegedly pocketed more than $400,000 of another employee's salary between February 2022 and January 2023, according to the Daily Mail. During this time, Arrua's paychecks were nearly seven times her actual salary, according to a police report from the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it The error went unnoticed until the Palm Beach Equine Clinic's CFO discovered the issue and flagged it with their payroll provider, Harbor America. But what's even more shocking is how long the payroll error went unnoticed — even the veterinarian who was supposed to be making $450,000 a year only noticed when her credit cards declined. Arrua, a nine-year clinic employee who even knew the company's president, is now at the center of a criminal investigation — and it was that same president who ultimately called the police. The Palm Beach Equine Clinic, a full-service veterinary facility specializing in horse care, has been a staple in Florida's equestrian community since it opened in 1981. The clinic is led by President Dr. Scott Swerdlin and employs many professionals dedicated to animal health. According to the Daily Mail, Arrua once shared her lifelong connection to animals on the clinic's website, saying, 'I have been around horses since I was three years old. Both my parents have been working with horses since before I can remember.' But while her passion for animals appeared genuine, Arrua allegedly noticed she was being overpaid and instead of reporting the error, she went on a luxury shopping spree. The report details purchases at high-end retailers like Coach and Michael Kors, purchases at restaurants and furniture stores, and thousands of dollars sent through Zelle to someone listed as 'Mama Dukes.' Investigators also discovered that $80,000 went toward buying a food truck for a friend of her mother's. Arrua also admitted to sending additional funds to Argentina to help build a house. She has since been formally charged with grand theft of $100,000 or more and money laundering of $100,000 or more — both first-degree felonies under Florida law. According to Florida Statute 812.014, theft involving that amount can carry a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, along with steep fines. Money laundering, which involves knowingly moving or disguising illegally obtained funds, carries similar penalties. In Florida, embezzlement isn't charged as a standalone offense, but prosecutors often rely on theft and fraud statutes when someone misuses funds they were entrusted with. Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. With the mystery behind the six-figure salary finally unraveled, Dr. Swerdlin says both Harbor America and Arrua should be held accountable. The police report notes that the investigating officer identified 'several mistakes attributed to the third-party company' — but efforts to clarify the error hit a dead end when authorities couldn't reach current representatives at Harbor America. When they finally did, the police learned the people with direct knowledge of the payroll mishap were no longer employed at the company. While it's tempting to treat an unexpected payday as a stroke of luck, cashing in on a clerical error can carry serious consequences. If you spot an overpayment in your account, don't spend a cent — instead, contact your employer immediately and wait for further instructions. Otherwise, you could be held liable for every dollar, whether you meant to keep it or not. And as this case shows, ignorance might feel like bliss, but legally, it won't protect you. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Here are the 6 levels of wealth for retirement-age Americans — are you near the top or bottom of the pyramid? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Money doesn't have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
The Sun
06-07-2025
- The Sun
Worker accidentally overpaid $400,000 she ‘thought was a bonus' on her $60k salary & blew it on luxury shopping
A HORSE clinic receptionist is accused of grand theft after being accidentally overpaid $400,000 in veterinarian checks. Yessica Arrua, 29, from Wellington, Florida, was arrested after allegedly keeping the cash and spending more than half on shopping and transfers to her family. 3 3 3 Yessica, whose annual salary was $60,000, was overpaid from February 2022 to January 2023, according to a Palm Beach Sheriff's Office report obtained by the Daily Mail. While she allegedly admitted she knew she was being overpaid, she said she thought the extra cash was a "bonus" for her work as a receptionist, according to the police report. She said she "heard rumours before that the previous receptionist had received one for saving the practice money on supplies". The Palm Beach Equine Clinic's (PBEC) spotted the mistake in early 2023 and alerted the company's payroll provider, Harbor America. Yessica was arrested on June 27. She allegedly did not report the overpayment to the clinic, instead spending the money at stores like Coach, Michael Kors, furniture shops and restaurants, according to the report. It added that thousands of dollars were sent through Zelle to a person nicknamed "Mama Dukes", while $80,000 was used to buy a food truck for a friend of her mother's. Yessica said that she also sent money to people in Argentina - where she is originally from - to build a house. The 29-year-old had been working at PBEC for nine years. She is said to have known the company president - who reported her to the police - since the age of nine. Baltimore Orioles Prospect Luis Guevara Dies at 19 in Jet Ski Accident The veterinarian on the annual salary of $450,000 "did not monitor her checking account and deposits for the past year", according to the police report. She only realised that she had not been paid when her credit cards declined, it added. When the veterinarian confronted her, Yessica "broke down crying and admitted the criminal action", according to the police report. She then issued a cashier's check for $200,000 of the estimated $414,000 she pocketed. But she claimed she could not return the rest of the money because her mother had already sent $100,000 of it to family in Argentina, who thought it was a "gift from God", according to the police report. Yessica has been charged with grand theft and money laundering, each involving sums of $100,000 or more. She is currently in custody at Palm Beach's Main Detention Center. The PBEC, a full-service 24-hour equine medical facility operating since 1981, is ran by President Dr Scott Swerdlin. The police report stated that President Swerdlin wanted Harbor America and Yessica Arrua to be held accountable. Police were reportedly told by representatives from Harbor America that the individuals who knew about the error were no longer employed by the firm. It comes as a Brit was scammed out of £200 after being sweet-talked by a fake Jennifer Aniston begging for cash for 'Apple subscriptions'. Paul Davis, 43, from Southampton, handed over the money after believing he was talking to the Friends star on Facebook. Paul, who battles depression, revealed how he was bombarded with dozens of eerily convincing videos from fake celebrity accounts.
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Worker is arrested after being accidentally paid $400k by employer
A Florida horse clinic mistakenly paid a receptionist with a veterinarian's checks — and now the $60,000-a-year employee stands accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Yessica Arrua, 29, of Wellington, was arrested on June 27 after allegedly pocketing more than $400,000 of someone else's salary. A police report from the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office (PBSO) obtained by the Daily Mail revealed the trouble started in early 2023, when the Palm Beach Equine Clinic's (PBEC) CFO noticed the error and contacted payroll provider Harbor America. The firm had accidentally routed a veterinarian's salary to Arrua's account. Arrua, originally from Argentina, received the inflated pay — nearly seven times her salary — from February 2022 to January 2023, according to the report. Though she allegedly admitted to noticing the overpayment, she never reported it to her employer. Instead, police say Arrua used the extra money at Coach, Michael Kors, restaurants, and furniture stores. Thousands were also sent through Zelle to someone labeled 'Mama Dukes'. The report also details an $80,000 purchase of a food truck for a friend of Arrua's mother, and claims she sent money to Argentina to help build a house. When questioned, Arrua reportedly said she believed the funds were a 'bonus' for her work as a receptionist. She claimed to have heard that a previous receptionist once received one for saving the company money on supplies. Arrua had worked at the clinic for nine years and had known the company president — who eventually reported her — since she was nine years old. The veterinarian whose salary was redirected earned $450,000 a year but reportedly did not monitor her bank deposits. She only discovered the issue when her credit cards started getting declined. After realizing the error, she confronted Arrua, who allegedly broke down and confessed. Arrua then wrote a $200,000 cashier's check to the clinic, but claimed she couldn't return the rest because her mother had already sent $100,000 to relatives in Argentina, believing it was a 'gift from God'. When asked why she hadn't arranged a payment plan, she told police she didn't know how to approach the company president due to his anger.
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Palm Beach worker is accidentally paid $400,000 by employer but she is now the one in big trouble
A Florida horse clinic mistakenly paid a receptionist with a veterinarian's checks and now the $60,000-a-year employee stands accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Yessica Arrua, 29, of Wellington, was arrested on June 27 after allegedly pocketing more than $400,000 of someone else's salary. A police report from the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office (PBSO) obtained by the Daily Mail revealed that trouble first arose in early 2023 when the Palm Beach Equine Clinic's (PBEC) CFO caught the mistake and contacted the company's payroll provider, Harbor America, to advise that it had inputted someone else's information into Arrua's account. Arrua, who is originally from Argentina, was getting paid like a veterinarian - roughly seven times her salary - from February 2022 to January 2023, the report states. While she allegedly admitted to knowing she was getting overpaid, she never reported the discrepancy to the clinic. She allegedly had used the extra money at stores including Coach, Michael Kors, furniture shops and restaurants. Thousands of dollars were also sent through Zelle to 'Mama Dukes', according to the police report. The report also revealed $80,000 of the money was used to purchase a food truck for a friend of Arrua's mother, and Arrua also admitted to sending money to people in Argentina to build a house. The police report said that Arrua believed the extra funds in her account was a 'bonus' for her work as a receptionist. She said she 'heard rumors before that the previous receptionist had received one for saving the practice money on supplies'. Arrua had worked at the practice for nine years, and she had known the company president - who was the person to eventually call the police - since she was nine years old. The police report stated that the $450,000-a-year veterinarian - who was supposed to receive those checks - 'did not monitor her checking account and deposits for the past year', therefore she didn't notice she hadn't received her salary payments until a few of her credit cards declined. After Arrua allegedly collected eight to 10 months of the fraudulent direct deposit payments, the veterinarian confronted her. Arrua 'broke down crying and admitted the criminal action', according to the police report. In response to being called out, Arrua wrote out a cashier's check for $200,000 of the estimated $414,000 she pocketed. But she claimed she could not return the rest of the money because her mother had already sent $100,000 of it to family in Argentina. They thought it was a 'gift from God', according to the police report. When asked by police why she hadn't attempted to return the remaining money or work out a payment plan she said she did not know how to approach the company president as he was 'so angry'. Arrua has been charged with grand theft of $100,000 or more and money laundering of $100,000 or more. Arrua remains in custody at Palm Beach's Main Detention Center. Arrua's mother was contacted by the Daily Mail, but said she needed to consult her lawyer before responding. A feature on the company's website shares an interview with Arrua. In it she says, 'I have been around horses since I was three years old. Both my parents have been working with horses since before I can remember. 'They both traveled to Florida to pursue work with horses here and that is how I came to be a resident of Wellington and a team member with Palm Beach Equine Clinic.' The PBEC opened its doors in 1981 and is led by President Dr. Scott Swerdlin. It is a full-service horse medical facility that offers around the clock care for the animals. When the Daily Mail called the business, one employee hung up immediately and another said they could not comment. The police report also stated that President Swerdlin wanted Harbor America and Arrua to be held accountable. The police report states the investigating officer had identified 'several mistakes attributed to the third-party company, Harbor America' but had struggled to make contact with representatives from the firm for clarification. When police eventually did make contact, they discovered that the individuals with firsthand knowledge of the error were no longer employed by the firm.
