MIAMI — Yesenia Barbara Estrada, 44, was arrested Thursday on multiple felony charges after being accused of embezzling over $600,000 from the company where she worked as an executive assistant.
According to investigators, Estrada exploited her access to the company’s payroll and accounting systems to issue unauthorized checks and payments to herself and her son from January 2022 through July 2023. Police uncovered at least $418,000 in unapproved payroll disbursements, including a $5,500 payment to her son, who was also employed by the company.
Estrada is additionally charged with making nearly $61,000 in personal purchases using the company’s credit card and manipulating accounting software records to conceal an extra $115,000 in unauthorized payments.
One check for $17,105 was allegedly issued to a contractor who denied ever accepting payments in his name; police said the check was fraudulently endorsed by Estrada.
The total financial loss to the company is estimated at $611,836.27. Estrada now faces charges including grand theft over $100,000, organized scheme to defraud, uttering a forged instrument, fraudulent credit card use, and falsifying corporate records.
