A manhunt is underway for a Florida bookkeeper who allegedly embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from homeowners’ associations to fund her plastic surgeries and lavish vacations.
Alexandra Delacaridad Gonzalez, 46, allegedly wrote checks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to herself from HOA accounts that she managed as a bookkeeper for Avant-Garde Property Management over an “extended period of time,” according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
Gonzalez attempted to cover up her alleged embezzlement by creating fake invoices and ledger entries, and forging the signatures of authorized account holders, police said.
She allegedly siphoned the funds for her personal expenses — including shopping, plastic surgery, and vacations, subpoenaed records showed.
Two HOAs — Whitemarsh Reserve Homeowners Association and The Dunes of Hutchinson Island — identified the suspected fraud and reported it to police, according to authorities.
“The suspect started with smaller amounts $2,000 but doing it multiple times a week, like five times a week,” Sheriff John Budensiek told WPBF.
“So, about $10,000 a week was going in her pocket, and then she progressed from the 2,000 increments into the 5,000 increments at which she was fired and issued a warrant for her arrest,” Budensiek added.
Police have not yet nabbed Gonzalez and believe she may be hiding out in the Miramar or Vero Beach area.
A warrant is currently out for her arrest on two counts of fraud exceeding $50,000, two counts of grand theft, 61 counts of uttering false instruments, and 59 counts of embezzlement, police said.
The exact total amount of money Gonzalez allegedly snatched from the two HOAs has not been revealed.
Her bond has already been set at $1,350,000 as authorities continue frantically searching for her.
Budensiek said local homeowners may end up paying for the brazen theft in the long run.
“Could they get higher HOA fees? The answer is yes, potentially,” Budensiek said. “I mean, $200,000 for an HOA is a lot of money, and so we’re actually furious that this lady had the nerve to do what she did and take advantage of our citizens here.”
Cops are urging residents to reach out if they have any evidence on Gonzalez’s whereabouts or believe their HOA may have been a victim of a similar scheme.
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