An employee at a Clermont cleaning company is being accused of stealing over $20,000 in funds from her employer by defrauding customers to pay her directly.
According to the Clermont Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit, a report of fraud by misrepresentation was filed last August by a local cleaning company that claimed one of its employees had stolen funds.
The victim and company owner allege that 46-year-old Jenifer Hoffman had directed at least two dozen residential customers to pay her directly for services provided by the company she was employed with.
According to an arrest affidavit, Hoffman attended meetings of the South Lake Chamber of Commerce and portrayed herself to residential clients as a part owner of the company. She allegedly convinced the clients to pay her directly through Zelle and CashApp.
The owner was able to provide proof of more than $20,000 in missing funds.
An investigation was launched into the matter and multiple phone, invoice, and financial records were reviewed. During the investigation, multiple customers were contacted regarding their payments to the company. Over $13,000 of those payments were tracked to accounts associated with Hoffman and her telephone number.
After months of investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Hoffman and she was taken into custody on February 16. Hoffman is being charged with scheme to defraud and grand theft.
She is set for arraignment on March 13, according to Lake County court records.