Woman accused of scamming employer gets break
palmbeachpost.com | 4/20/08 | William Cooper Jr.
Colleen Janette Christopher got a break Friday when County Judge Paul Moyle placed her on house arrest rather than make her pay $581,000 bail after a tearful plea from her mother. But Moyle's generosity came with a stern warning: "Don't let me down and make me regret my decision."
Christopher, a single mother of a 9-year-old daughter, was charged with 193 counts of fraud and embezzlement after allegedly writing 93 checks to herself from her employer's bank account, Lake Clarke Shores police said.
Christopher worked for Lawrence Abramson, a property manager, at 1860 Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 200, the police report said. Police said Christopher embezzled more than $20,000 from Abramson.Christopher's mother, Mary, told the judge that her daughter is addicted to painkillers and that may have driven her to conduct illegal actions. According to authorities, Christopher, of West Palm Beach, doctored financial statements and used an assumed name in the scheme.
Under the conditions of her release, Moyle ordered her to stay at her mother's home. She is prohibited from having visitors until after her case is resolved.