Worker is arrested after being accidentally paid $400k by employer
Share and Follow

A Florida horse clinic mistakenly paid a receptionist with a veterinarian’s checks and now the $60,000-a-year employee stands accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Yessica Arrua, 29, of Wellington, was arrested on June 27 after allegedly pocketing more than $400,000 of someone else’s salary. 

A police report from the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) obtained by the Daily Mail revealed that trouble first arose in early 2023 when the Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s (PBEC) CFO caught the mistake and contacted the company’s payroll provider, Harbor America, to advise that it had inputted someone else’s information into Arrua’s account. 

Arrua, who is originally from Argentina, was getting paid like a veterinarian – roughly seven times her salary – from February 2022 to January 2023, the report states. 

While she allegedly admitted to knowing she was getting overpaid, she never reported the discrepancy to the clinic. 

She allegedly had used the extra money at stores including Coach, Michael Kors, furniture shops and restaurants. Thousands of dollars were also sent through Zelle to ‘Mama Dukes’, according to the police report. 

The report also revealed $80,000 of the money was used to purchase a food truck for a friend of Arrua’s mother, and Arrua also admitted to sending money to people in Argentina to build a house.

The police report said that Arrua believed the extra funds in her account was a ‘bonus’ for her work as a receptionist. 

Yessica Arrua (pictured), 29, of Wellington, was arrested after allegedly pocketing more than $400,000 of someone else's salary

Yessica Arrua (pictured), 29, of Wellington, was arrested after allegedly pocketing more than $400,000 of someone else’s salary

The Argentina native (pictured) has been charged with grand theft of $100,000 or more and money laundering of $100,000 or more, according to arrest records

The Argentina native (pictured) has been charged with grand theft of $100,000 or more and money laundering of $100,000 or more, according to arrest records

She said she ‘heard rumors before that the previous receptionist had received one for saving the practice money on supplies’. 

Arrua had worked at the practice for nine years, and she had known the company president – who was the person to eventually call the police – since she was nine years old.

The police report stated that the $450,000-a-year veterinarian – who was supposed to receive those checks – ‘did not monitor her checking account and deposits for the past year’, therefore she didn’t notice she hadn’t received her salary payments until a few of her credit cards declined. 

After Arrua allegedly collected eight to 10 months of the fraudulent direct deposit payments, the veterinarian confronted her.

Arrua ‘broke down crying and admitted the criminal action’, according to the police report. 

In response to being called out, Arrua wrote out a cashier’s check for $200,000 of the estimated $414,000 she pocketed.

But she claimed she could not return the rest of the money because her mother had already sent $100,000 of it to family in Argentina. They thought it was a ‘gift from God’, according to the police report. 

When asked by police why she hadn’t attempted to return the remaining money or work out a payment plan she said she did not know how to approach the company president as he was ‘so angry’.

In response to being called out, Arrua (pictured) wrote out a cashier's check to return $200,000 of the estimated $416,291.05 she earned, police said

In response to being called out, Arrua (pictured) wrote out a cashier’s check to return $200,000 of the estimated $416,291.05 she earned, police said

Arrua has been charged with grand theft of $100,000 or more and money laundering of $100,000 or more. 

Arrua remains in custody at Palm Beach’s Main Detention Center. 

Arrua’s mother was contacted by the Daily Mail, but said she needed to consult her lawyer before responding. 

A feature on the company’s website shares an interview with Arrua. In it she says, ‘I have been around horses since I was three years old. Both my parents have been working with horses since before I can remember.

‘They both traveled to Florida to pursue work with horses here and that is how I came to be a resident of Wellington and a team member with Palm Beach Equine Clinic.’

The PBEC opened its doors in 1981 and is led by President Dr. Scott Swerdlin. 

It is a full-service horse medical facility that offers around the clock care for the animals. 

Palm Beach Equine Clinic is pictured above. Arrua worked there for nine years

Palm Beach Equine Clinic is pictured above. Arrua worked there for nine years 

While Arrua (pictured) allegedly admitted to knowing she was getting overpaid, she never reported the discrepancy to the clinic

While Arrua (pictured) allegedly admitted to knowing she was getting overpaid, she never reported the discrepancy to the clinic

When the Daily Mail called the business, one employee hung up immediately and another said they could not comment. 

The police report also stated that President Swerdlin wanted Harbor America and Arrua to be held accountable. 

The police report states the investigating officer had identified ‘several mistakes attributed to the third-party company, Harbor America’ but had struggled to make contact with representatives from the firm for clarification. 

When police eventually did make contact, they discovered that the individuals with firsthand knowledge of the error were no longer employed by the firm.

Harbor America has not returned the Daily Mail’s request for comment.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Eric Dane reveals why he wasn't at 2025 Emmy Awards

Eric Dane Shares the Reason Behind His Absence from the 2025 Emmy Awards

WASHINGTON — “Grey’s Anatomy” star Eric Dane recently shared why he missed out…
Oasis' Paul Arthurs steps away from tour amid prostate cancer diagnosis

Oasis’ Paul Arthurs Withdraws from Tour Following Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

The guitarist is currently part of the British rock band’s reunion tour.…
Brighton Park, Chicago shooting: Marimar Martinez, shot by CBP agent, Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz charged in 39th and Kedzie incident

Brighton Park in Chicago Shooting: CBP Agent Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz Faces Charges for Incident Involving Marimar Martinez at 39th and Kedzie

CHICAGO (WLS) — A woman who was shot by a federal agent…
Travis Kelce's ex Kayla Nicole FIRES BACK at Taylor Swift after diss

Kayla Nicole, Travis Kelce’s Former Flame, Responds to Taylor Swift’s Comment

Travis Kelce’s former partner, Kayla Nicole, seems to have responded to Taylor…
Portland police sergeant appears to criticize assault victims for antagonizing anti-ICE protesters

Portland police sergeant appears to criticize assault victims for antagonizing anti-ICE protesters

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! An email from a…
Freed American hostage Keith Siegel thanks Trump for saving his life

American Hostage Keith Siegel Expresses Gratitude to Trump for His Rescue

A former Israeli-American hostage, who gained his freedom earlier this year, expressed…
Meghan Markle posts 'insensitive' video near tunnel where Diana died

Meghan Markle Criticized for Video Filmed Close to Diana’s Accident Site

The Duchess of Sussex has come under fire for being labeled ‘insensitive’…
Mark Sanchez arrested after stabbed during altercation

Mark Sanchez Detained Following Stabbing Incident

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…