A receptionist at a Florida horse clinic is facing serious legal trouble after a payroll mix-up led to her receiving more than $400,000 in overpayments—and allegedly deciding to keep it quiet.
Yessica Arrua, a 29-year-old employee at the Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Wellington, was arrested on June 27 and charged with grand theft and money laundering, according to Palm Beach County authorities.
A $60K Salary Turned Into a $414K Payday
According to a police report obtained by the Daily Mail, between February 2022 and January 2023, a payroll error caused Arrua to receive the paychecks of a veterinarian—resulting in her taking home over $414,000 more than her normal $60,000 annual salary.
Instead of alerting her employer or the payroll company, investigators say Arrua spent thousands on luxury items and transferred large sums of money overseas. The mistake was finally discovered in early 2023 when the clinic’s Chief Financial Officer noticed discrepancies and contacted Harbor America, their payroll provider. It was then revealed that the system had been incorrectly inputting a veterinarian’s pay into Arrua’s account for nearly a year.
When Confronted, She Returned Only Half
After being confronted by the clinic, Arrua reportedly returned $200,000, claiming the rest had already been sent overseas and could not be recovered. Despite the partial repayment, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office ultimately arrested her on felony charges.
Authorities allege that her actions were deliberate, noting that she made transfers and purchases inconsistent with her usual income—triggering suspicions of money laundering.
As of now, it’s unclear how much of the remaining money authorities have been able to track or whether Arrua will face additional charges.
Payroll Errors With Real Consequences
This case is a dramatic reminder that payroll mistakes can have massive consequences—especially if the recipient chooses not to report them. Even accidental overpayments, once spent, can lead to serious felony charges when not returned or disclosed.
While Arrua awaits her day in court, her story is already serving as a cautionary tale: free money isn’t really free, especially when it comes from your job.
For more updates on trending legal and workplace news, follow WHAT’S THE WORD
