Woman on probation for embezzlement charged with fraud

BRADENTON, Fla., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- A Florida bookkeeper on probation for embezzlement is accused of defrauding a recent employer of $17,000.

Annique Newton, 34, of Bradenton, is accused of taking $17,000 from Cactus Sky Communications by writing herself 34 checks and forging president Peter Martin's signature, The Bradenton Herald reported Monday.

Police said Newton, who was arrested July 9, was still on probation for embezzling $400,000 for a previous employer.

"This was someone I trusted and she did this while on Christmas vacation," Martin said. "The staff thought she was doing end-of-the-year bookkeeping. She was coming in every day when she normally came in a couple times a week."

Police said Newton was released on $7,500 bond and arrested again this week for violating the terms of her probation.