California Bookkeeper Charged In $245K Salon Embezzlement Case

Bethany Jane Brady, 43, of Newport Beach, California, has been charged with embezzling some $245,000 from the Hampton Salon where she had been employed as a bookkeeper. According to prosecutors, Brady started paying her utility and other personal bills in October 2006 by transferring funds from the Salon's accounts via PayPal. Specifically, Brady was charged on felony counts of grand theft, identity theft, computer fraud and money laundering. Prior to being hired directly by the salon, Brady reportedly handled bookkeeping for an outside accounting firm for 13 years. Brady faces up to 7 years in prison if convicted of all charges. Read the story here and here. Update (4/28/11): Brady was sentenced to 2 years in prison and must pay $250,000 in restitution. She pleaded guilty to one felony count of grand theft and one felony count of identity theft.