Bookkeeper Allegedly Embezzled $250k From Laguna Employer

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A grand theft from the Laguna Coast Corporation led to the arrest of a Costa Mesa woman, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department.

"On January 22, 2016, Laguna Beach Police Detectives began a grand theft investigation against Nhora Johanna Tellez, a resident of Costa Mesa," LBPD Sgt. Jim Cota said. "The investigation began when a Laguna Beach business owner identified his bookkeeper/office manager, Tellez, as the person who defrauded him of over $80,000.00 from his marketing business, Laguna Coast Corporation."

Tellez was the bookkeeper and office manager at the victim’s business and gave her access to the victim’s financial information. It was discovered that Tellez had accessed and changed the login information for all of the victim’s investments and credit card accounts. Tellez created passwords for each online account and notifications of access or fraud to these accounts were rerouted to an email address held by Tellez.

This lengthy investigation revealed that Tellez devised and executed a scheme to defraud and obtain money from Laguna Coast Corporation by gaining the trust of the owner, who allowed her to gain control over the financial accounts.

Documents and business records obtained in this investigation were forwarded to the Orange County District Attorney Major Fraud unit which, after further review, determined that Tellez had embezzled approximately $265,390.67.

Tellez allegedly used the money embezzled from the victim for a variety of personal expenses including veterinarian visits, entertainment expenses, living expenses, and vacations that involved the purchase of airline tickets. Cash advances were also conducted at various ATM’s throughout Orange County.

"Images of the ATM cash advances were obtained, and Tellez was positively identified as being the individual who completed the fraudulent transactions," Cota said. "To date, none of the embezzled funds have been returned by Tellez to the victim."

On January 24, 2018, Laguna Beach Police Department Detectives arrested Nhora Johanna Tellez in the City of Costa Mesa for California Penal Code 487-Grand Theft.

"This lengthy and time-consuming investigation serves as a reminder that our police department will pursue any individual(s) in positions of trust who take advantage of businesses and innocent victims. We brought in every available resource, including our partners from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, to ensure that this case would be appropriately investigated, prosecuted, and justice would be served,” said Captain Jeff Calvert, LBPD.

For further information, please contact Sergeant Jim Cota at (949) 464-6671 or jcota@lagunabeachcity.net.

Photo: Laguna Beach Police Department