Florida woman accused of stealing $82K by altering paychecks

A 73-year-old Florida woman is accused of defrauding $82,000 from a company she worked for by altering her paychecks, WTVT reported.

>> Read more trending news

Patricia A. Smart, of St. Petersburg, was arrested Tuesday and charged with a scheme to defraud over $300, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. She also was charged with violating a 30-year community supervision sentence stemming from a grand theft charge in 1991.

Smart worked for a New Port Richey business, RJ Brosseau Corporation, WTVT reported. Investigators said Smart would log her weekly paychecks and registry for the checks for $120, the television station reported. However, after the company's owner signed off on her checks, Smart would change the amounts to $420, $720 or $920, according to her arrest affidavit.

Detectives said Smart cashed 136 paychecks between January 2016 and September 2018, taking an additional $82,300 from the company, WTVT reported.

Smart remains in the Pasco County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bond.

About the Author

Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Georgia had third-highest SNAP payment error rate in country in 2024

The state’s error rate during fiscal 2024 was exceeded by only Alaska and the District of Columbia

Gwinnett drops charges against Spanish-language reporter in ICE custody

Misdemeanor charges against journalist Mario Guevara have now been dropped in both Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.

The Latest

Credit: Olivia Bowdoin

Rhone: Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Georgia had third-highest SNAP payment error rate in country in 2024

AJC Peachtree Road Race updates: Keep the momentum going

Featured

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia disability rights advocates fear weakening of U.S. accessibility law

Advocates worry the Department of Energy’s move could be the start of a broader effort by other federal agencies to roll back civil rights rules.

From boycott to ballgame: Baseball’s political All-Star Game saga returns to Georgia

MLB pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Georgia over the state's voting law, Senate Bill 202. Now it’s back — and Republicans say the return proves they were right all along.

OPINION

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Preparations for the show pushed people out of their comfort zones — into new stores, new communities, a new style of dress, and in some cases, to visit new cities.