A Florida woman has been accused of “stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from local homeowners associations” to fund her luxury purchases, according to investigators.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said it issued a warrant for Alexandra Delacaridad Gonzalez, a 46-year-old who worked as a property management bookkeeper at Avant-Garde Property Management in Stuart, Florida.
“Investigators say that over an extended period of time, Gonzalez wrote checks to herself from HOA accounts that she managed and concealed the thefts by creating fictitious invoices and false ledger entries,” the sheriff’s office announced Monday. “She also allegedly forged the signatures of authorized account holders.”
Records show Gonzalez used the stolen funds for “personal expenses,” which included shopping, plastic surgery, and “lavish trips,” according to the sheriff’s office.
”She lived a lavish lifestyle for that year-long period,” Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek told CBS12.
"As far as the money that she stole, there's none left to claw back. She spent it all,” he added.
The sheriff’s office said Gonzalez is wanted on two counts of fraud exceeding $50,000; two counts of grand theft; 61 counts of uttering false instruments; and 59 counts of embezzlement. Her bond has been set at $1,350,000.
Investigators believe Gonzalez is now in the Miramar or Vero Beach areas.
“If you have any information on her whereabouts, or if you believe your HOA may have been a victim of similar activity, please contact the Martin County Sheriff’s Office,” the sheriff’s office said.
The Independent has contacted the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Avant-Garde Property Management for comment.
Liz Diaz, the owner of Avant-Garde Property Management, addressed the case in a statement to WPBF 25 News.
“Upon learning of the potential loss caused by Ms. Alexandra Gonzalez, we immediately notified our clients and law enforcement, and then we promptly assisted and fully cooperated with our clients and law enforcement to protect our clients and the communities we serve,” Diaz said.
“We want to see justice for our clients, and we will continue to fully cooperate in any prosecution and restitution efforts. We thank the Martin County Sheriff’s Office for its diligent investigation and prosecution, and we thank our clients for their continued loyalty and understanding,” she added.
