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Manatee Bookkeeper Charged With Embezzling $250,000

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TBO.com

Published: September 18, 2008

  Shari Mong

A Myakka City woman faces several charges after her employer accused her of stealing more than $250,000 from his company.

Manatee County deputies arrested Shari Mong, 44, of 4825 Wingate Road, today. Mong was the bookkeeper for Environmental Plant Resources Inc. in Duette when she manipulated the company's books, gave herself huge raises and deposited forged business checks into her personal account, deputies said.

The owner of the company, Otto Bundy, told investigators that Mong increased her annual salary from $39,000 to $120,000 by forging his name on payroll documents. She also failed to pay vendors and sales tax, which he discovered when the Florida Department of Revenue contacted him, Bundy said. Mong also forged checks from the company, Bundy said.

Mong repeatedly told Bundy that his business was doing poorly and needed an infusion of cash, investigators said. Bundy transferred several thousand dollars from his retirement account and eventually laid off several workers, authorities said.

Altogether, Mong received $253,403 illegally, investigators said.

She's charged with organized scheme to defraud, issuing forged checks and forged documents, and criminal use of personal identification. She was being held in Manatee County Jail with bail set at $280,000.

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