Former Office Manager of Tennessee Restaurant Charged With Embezzling Nearly $140K

From the Kingsport Times-News on 4/15/13:

Samantha Miller

Former Pratt's employee charged with embezzling nearly $140,000
    

By Rain Smith

 

A former office manager at Pratt's BBQ in Kingsport has been charged with embezzling nearly $140,000 from the business, allegedly using the stolen funds to pay off credit card debt.

According to Kingsport police, a warrant was issued March 27 for the arrest of Samantha Miller, 45, of 401 Thomas Acres Road. She then turned herself into police and was charged with theft of more than $60,000.

KPD Det. Chris Tincher says Miller was employed by Pratt's, 1225 East Stone Drive, from 2003 through 2011. An affidavit in Kignsport court says that over that time Miller had "complete control over the company's account."

Miller reportedly resigned in October of 2011, but it wasn't until November of last year that Tom Pratt, the owner of the restaurant, reported the missing funds to police. Court records state his secretary discovered the unauthorized transfer of money from a business account to Chase E-Pay, an online service for the payment of credit card bills.

Subsequent investigation by detectives reportedly found "several" such unauthorized transactions, with the total amount coming to $138,275.81. The alleged embezzlement occurred between January of 2007 up through November of 2012, approximately a year after Miller's resignation.

Court records say the stolen money was used to pay a Chase E-Pay account in the name of Miller's husband. When interviewed by police she allegedly admitted to the embezzlement.

Miller's next court appearance is scheduled for May 30.