Christie Burkey Hunt Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For Embezzling Over $500,000
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard County Sheriff // March 15, 2017
Sentenced For Grand Theft Over $100,000
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As a result of a Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit investigation, 34-year-old Christie Burkey Hunt was sentenced to 15 years in prison, for Grand Theft over $100,000 by Circuit Judge Robin Lemonidis.
In addition, the Court ordered Hunt to serve 2 years on community control after release, followed by 13 years of probation.
Hunt entered into a plea on November 17, 2016. Restitution in the amount of $100,000 was made at sentencing, followed by an additional $300,000 court ordered payments of $1700 per month by Hunt.
The investigation was initiated after the Sheriff’s Economic Crimes Task Force received a complaint from Hunt’s former employer. The investigation revealed that Hunt, while working as the office manager for a Medical Group operating in Titusville, embezzled over $500,000 over a two-year period.
Evidence demonstrated that Hunt diverted funds from the business into shell corporations under her name, as well as opened and used credit cards and lines of credit without permission of the owners.
Hunt used the money to rent an upscale home, buy furnishings and electronics as well as the purchase of two Audi Q7 automobiles.
At the time of Hunt’s arrest, members of the Economic Crimes Unit served a search warrant at her residence and seized property and vehicles from the home purchased with the proceeds of her illegal enterprise.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, Titusville Police Department, Melbourne Police Department, Cocoa Police Department and the State Attorney’s Office.
The case agent for this investigation was Detective Sara Macskassy of the Titusville Police Department.
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I am very proud of everyone involved in this investigation, the Task Force was created for these types of crimes and the sentence by the Honorable Circuit Judge Robin Lemonidis sends a very strong message to those who prey on our citizens.
If you believe you are a victim of a financial crime, please call the ECU Task Force at 321-633-8410.
– Sheriff Wayne Ivey
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