A former HR manager at a Pevely-area company has been accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the business during her first 90 days on the job.
Jacqueline Nicole Gray, 50, of St. Louis County was charged on March 31 with felony stealing of more than $25,000. Her bond was set at $105,260.25 cash only.
According to the Oct. 22 probable-cause statement, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to Anew Transport, 2100 Hwy. Z, in Pevely, about a theft. A detective was told Gray was the HR manager and was responsible for payroll.
During Gray’s 90-day performance review, the employer learned Gray allegedly created several alias employees and had been paying these fake employees from three different employer bank accounts. Gray allegedly also increased her own salary before payroll, the report said.
According to the probable-cause statement, Gray’s bank statements showed 16 transactions from the business between July and October for a total of $105,260.25.
The conditions of release document further alleged Gray is “under investigation for perpetrating this same financial scam across multiple jurisdictions and with multiple businesses. It is estimated she has made more than $250,000 in illicit gains, none of which has been recovered thus far. The scheme involved setting up multiple fake bank accounts under false identifies and funneling monies from businesses where she was hired to manage payroll.”
Grant Bissell, spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, said he does not believe any of these other cases are in Jefferson County. He said Gray is in custody in the St. Louis County Jail.
An attorney is not listed for Gray. A court date has not been set as of Leader deadline.
