Authorities say a woman from South Carolina faces fraud charges for allegedly stealing more than $215,000 and going on two European holidays.
In a release from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office dated October 25, it was revealed that Maria Hamma (46), worked for Furniture from High Point in Anderson.
According to the sheriff’s office, the owner of the store noticed discrepancies in the company’s records and asked detectives for an investigation.
She embezzled money in at least six ways, according to the sheriff’s department, including by stealing cash from the company register, paying personal expenses of $30,000 with the company credit card, and writing a bonus check worth nearly $6,000.
Authorities accused her of using company funds to fund two 3-week long trips to Europe.
Requests for comment were not immediately responded to by the company. On Tuesday morning, it was unclear who represented Hamma.
Sheriff’s Office: Woman falsified timecards and logged over 800 hours of work.
Hamma also falsified timecards, according to the sheriff’s office. This was done to make it appear that she worked more hours than she actually did.
In a news release, Detective Tyler Brown stated that “when she added to the timecard we’re talking about 800 hours over two years.” “Every time I believed we were close to the finish, something would pop up.”
Authorities said that she also pretended to own the furniture store and forged contracts, causing the store to lose just over $215,000.
According to the sheriff’s office, detectives spent more than two months examining documents and bank records to determine what happened.
Hamma was charged with computer crimes, breach of trust and forgery. Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the woman’s charges were felonies. Computer crimes can carry up to five years in prison, while the two other charges could carry up to 10-year sentences.
She was arrested, but released after posting a bond of $15,000
