A human resources manager has been charged with misappropriating more than a quarter of a million dollars from Lexington, NC-based Southeastern Freight Lines, according to a report in The State.
Lori M. Caldwell, 39, turned herself in last week after she was charged with misappropriating more than $284,491 from the trucking company in a scheme that involved filing false invoices for driver recruiting advertising, according to police.
Over a period of more than four years, Caldwell submitted false expense reports reimbursing her for placing advertisements for driver jobs in trucking trade magazines. According to the arrest warrant, the invoices for the advertisements were created by Caldwell on her company computer.
Caldwell then submitted the bogus invoices for payment, the warrant alleges. Checks totaling more than $284,491 were then deposited into Caldwell’s personal checking account, according to the warrant.
Trucking company officials discovered the misappropriation and called the sheriff’s department. Caldwell was charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent involving more than $10,000, a felony that carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison. Caldwell posted bond and was released from jail, according to Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Maj. John Allard.
