FORMER OFFICE MANAGER OF PEDIATRIC MEDICAL PRACTICE CHARGED WITH STEALING MORE THAN $170K

Jennifer Consuegra, a 45-year-old from Destin, Florida, served as the office manager at a pediatric medical practice in Walton County, where she exploited her position over five years from January 2020 to March 2025 to steal more than $171,000. She overpaid herself $139,000 through unauthorized payroll increases and bonuses, while also diverting company funds to cover personal costs like nearly $2,000 in utility bills and over $30,000 in family health insurance premiums she was responsible for. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau uncovered the scheme during a thorough probe, revealing her long-term fraud. When investigators approached her, Consuegra refused to comment. On August 29, 2025, she was arrested, charged with scheme to defraud over $50,000—a felony—and booked into Walton County Jail with a $25,000 bond, from which she was released the same day. This case underscores the critical need for practice owners to implement strong internal controls, such as segregating duties in payroll and bookkeeping, conducting regular audits, and reconciling bank statements monthly to detect discrepancies early and prevent trusted employees from siphoning funds undetected.