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Valrico Woman Stole Up To $100,000 From Employer, Police Say

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 12, 2008

TAMPA - A woman on probation for felony organized fraud and other offenses is accused of bilking a local business out of as much as $100,000 through forged checks, police said.

Barbara Lynn Griner, 49, of Valrico, was being held without bail at Orient Road Jail today. Tampa police on Wednesday charged her with felony grand theft, felony forgery, felony uttering a forged instrument and several probation violations.

According to an affidavit and a preliminary police report, Griner has been employed as an office worker by Gulf Coast Metals Co., 6912 E. 9th Ave., since 2007. In January 2007, she began forging the name of owner Lee Levant on checks, these documents state.

Police say in a criminal report affidavit that the total taken through the forged checks was $32,420, but Griner told investigators in this document that more checks will clear. A preliminary report estimates the loss at $70,000 to $100,000.

Levant was out of the office early this afternoon, but a co-worker said he would return later for comment.

Hillsborough County court records show Griner received a suspended 15-year prison sentence and 15 years of probation in February 2007 after being found guilty of felony organized fraud. Restrictions of the probation include she is not to work at a place where she handles other people's money, these records state.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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