Yessica Arrua Arrested for Allegedly Stealing $400K in Vet Salary Mix-Up at Florida Horse Clinic

A shocking case of payroll fraud has surfaced at a Florida-based horse clinic, where 29-year-old receptionist Yessica Arrua was arrested for allegedly stealing over $400,000. Authorities say she received a veterinarian’s salary for nearly a year due to a payroll error and chose not to report it.

Payroll Mix-Up Turned into Major Theft

Arrua, originally from Wellington, Florida, worked at Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) for nine years. The error began in February 2022, when PBEC’s payroll provider, Harbor America, mistakenly linked a veterinarian’s account to Arrua’s paycheck.

Instead of her regular $60,000 salary, Arrua was receiving around $450,000 annually — nearly seven times her expected pay.

The clinic’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) discovered the mistake in early 2023 and flagged the issue. However, the damage had already been done. Arrua allegedly used the extra money to make lavish purchases from brands like Coach and Michael Kors, and even bought a $80,000 food truck for a family friend.

She Knew But Never Spoke Up

According to the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office report, Arrua admitted that she knew she was being overpaid, but assumed it was a bonus for her loyalty. She told investigators she heard that a previous receptionist had received a similar reward.

Arrua reportedly sent money to Argentina to help her family build a house. She also used Zelle to transfer thousands of dollars to contacts labeled “Mama Dukes.”

When finally confronted by the veterinarian whose salary she had been receiving, Arrua broke down and confessed. She returned $200,000 via a cashier’s check but claimed she couldn’t return the rest because the money had already been spent or sent abroad.

Arrest and Charges

Arrua now faces charges of grand theft over $100,000 and money laundering over $100,000. She is currently being held at Palm Beach’s Main Detention Center.

The veterinarian, who did not notice she had missed paychecks for nearly a year, reportedly only realized the mistake when her credit cards began getting declined.

The clinic’s president, Dr. Scott Swerdlin, contacted the authorities and demanded accountability not only from Arrua but also from the payroll provider Harbor America.

An investigation found multiple errors on the part of Harbor America, but many of the employees responsible had already left the company. The firm has not responded to media inquiries.

From Childhood Around Horses to Criminal Charges

In a past interview on the company’s website, Arrua had described growing up around horses and joining PBEC thanks to her family’s equine background. “I’ve been around horses since I was three,” she had said.

Now, the trusted receptionist is at the center of one of the most surprising payroll fraud cases in recent Florida memory.