ABOVE MAP:Sheriff’s Agents arrested Christie Burkey Hunt earlier today at her residence located at 1382 Vestavia Circle, Melbourne. Hunt was taken to the Brevard County Jail where she is being held under $940,000 bond.
Investigation Revealed That Suspect, While Working As the Office Manager For A Medical Group Operating In Titusville, Embezzled More Than $650,000 Over Two-Year Period
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Task Force arrested 32-year-old Christie Burkey Hunt and charged her with crimes committed under the Florida Money Laundering Act.
Members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Economic Crimes Task Force arrested 32-year-old Christie Burkey Hunt and charged her with crimes committed under the Florida Money Laundering Act. (BCSO image)
Sheriff’s Agents arrested Hunt earlier today at her residence located at 1382 Vestavia Circle in Melbourne.
Hunt was taken to the Brevard County Jail where she is being held under $940,000 bond.
According to BCSO, the investigation was initiated in early April of this year after the Task Force received a complaint from Hunt’s former employer.
The investigation revealed that Hunt, while working as the office manager for Heart Care Centers of Central Florida in Titusville, embezzled over $650,000 over a two-year period.
The investigation was initiated in early April of this year after the 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 $650,000 over a two-year period.
BCSO said that 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 2014 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 that are believed to have been the proceeds of her illegal enterprise.
The Economic Crimes Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, Titusville Police Department, Melbourne Police Department and a staff attorney from the State Attorney’s Office. Leading this investigation for the Task Force was Detective Sara Kane of the Titusville Police Department.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey
“This Task Force concept is making an incredible difference in the way Brevard investigates Identity theft and fraud related cases,” said Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
“I can’t thank the participating agencies enough for providing such valuable resources to combat this worldwide type of devastating crime.”
VICTIM WILL DONATE FRAUDULENT PURCHASES TO CHARITY
The Women’s Center strives to address the needs of women by giving them a step up towards safe, healthy, self-sufficient lives. The Women’s Center provides advocacy, guidance, and support for victims of abuse and neglect.
Of special recognition, American Express, one of the victims of the fraudulent purchases, has decided to donate any property recovered that was purchased with their fraudulent accounts, to a deserving charity in Brevard County.
Per their wishes, those items will be donated to the Women’s Center of Brevard.
The Women’s Center strives to address the needs of women by giving them a step up towards safe, healthy, self-sufficient lives. The Women’s Center provides advocacy, guidance, and support for victims of abuse and neglect.
The Women’s Center is able to provide counseling services, financial assistance, career guidance, job training, transitional housing and victim advocacy through generous donations.
The Center is proud to be able to help over 10,000 women and their children annually.
