OUT OF CONTROL CONTROLLER SCREWED VISITOR'S BUREAU FOR $1.6 MILL
Palm Beach County woman on trial
The Palm Beach County Convention and Visitor's Bureau in Florida, USA is in a tight spot following the embezzlement of $1.6 million by a financial controller whose personal life was clearly anything but controlled.
Donna Duffer was in court last week accused of systematic embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of dollars to feed an online poker playing habit at several unidentified Internet sites.
A 21-page police report detailed the extent of the wrongdoing which began Jun 4, 7002, with a $3 750 forged check. Over the years, Duffer would print checks made out to herself and forge the two required signatures before cashing same. The money went into an online account that she used to play poker.
She was finally exposed late last year when the Visitor Bureau's bank picked up on her fraudulent activities. She is being charged with first-degree felonies of grand theft and money laundering, with each charge carrying a maximum 30-year prison. Duffer is out on $30 000 bail.
As a result of her theft, Duffer's employers are facing debt of around $925 045.04 in back taxes and retirement fund payments.
The non-profit Visitor's Bureau hopes to tap Duffer for some of the money, but they are also considering an action against the outside auditor and some former employees, and an insurance claim has been filed.
Palm Beach County woman on trial
The Palm Beach County Convention and Visitor's Bureau in Florida, USA is in a tight spot following the embezzlement of $1.6 million by a financial controller whose personal life was clearly anything but controlled.
Donna Duffer was in court last week accused of systematic embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of dollars to feed an online poker playing habit at several unidentified Internet sites.
A 21-page police report detailed the extent of the wrongdoing which began Jun 4, 7002, with a $3 750 forged check. Over the years, Duffer would print checks made out to herself and forge the two required signatures before cashing same. The money went into an online account that she used to play poker.
She was finally exposed late last year when the Visitor Bureau's bank picked up on her fraudulent activities. She is being charged with first-degree felonies of grand theft and money laundering, with each charge carrying a maximum 30-year prison. Duffer is out on $30 000 bail.
As a result of her theft, Duffer's employers are facing debt of around $925 045.04 in back taxes and retirement fund payments.
The non-profit Visitor's Bureau hopes to tap Duffer for some of the money, but they are also considering an action against the outside auditor and some former employees, and an insurance claim has been filed.
