NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FLA. – NORTH MIAMI BEACH (AP) — An employee of the City of North Miami Beach has been taken into custody by the Police Department of North Miami Beach in connection with an investigation into the possible theft of Publix gift cards.
The city of North Miami Beach spent money that was allotted through the American Rescue Plan in order to acquire gift cards so that it could give them out as gifts to the inhabitants of North Miami Beach.
The authorities learned that the stolen Publix gift cards had been used in an unauthorized manner to purchase a variety of food items and other goods at a variety of Publix outlets located throughout South Florida. In total, the purchase was made with eight gift cards, which had a combined value of $1,137.82.
Jennifer Hillman, an employee of the City of North Miami Beach, was identified as the person responsible for the illegal use of gift cards as a result of the investigation that was conducted.
Hillman is currently being investigated for one count of participating in an organized scheme to defraud and one count of grand theft in the third degree.
After learning about Hillmon’s involvement, the City of North Miami Beach made the decision to end her employment with the municipality. Law enforcement officers apprehended her and took her to the Turner Gilford Knight Correctional Center to complete the booking procedure.
