Businessman Bruce Laishley of Punta Gorda has arrested a former assistant who is accused of stealing more than $200,000 from his real estate company, Laishley USA.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reports that Kristina Parrish, 40, was taken into custody on Thursday and is charged with one count of grand theft over $100,000.
The accusations date back to Parrish’s employment at Laishley USA as assistant to Laishley, which took place between around August 2021 and October 2023.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Laishley and other staff members discovered that corporate monies were absent in May 2024 and linked the missing money to “several personal unauthorized transactions” totaling $200,444.39 that Parrish is accused of making.
Following an investigation, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office discovered that Parrish had paid for numerous personal expenses using the company’s Bank OZK account, including credit card payments, utility bills, auto loans, dental care, and her child’s college tuition.
Parrish was not granted authorization to use the account for personal costs, according to the PCA, and was only able to access it to make purchases for the business.
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According to the CCSO, the total amount of money that Parrish is accused of stealing so far is $200,434.19. The investigators anticipate discovering further transactions.
Parrish made her initial court appearance in Charlotte County on Thursday, according to court documents, and was given an order to stay away from Laishley.
