Employee allegedly embezzled $215,000 from furniture store where she worked for over two years

The employee was charged with embezzling more than $200,000 from South Carolina furniture store and spending some of it on two European holidays.

Maria Hamma, 46, from South Carolina According to authorities, she allegedly stole money from her employer, Furniture of High Point in Anderson County.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office says Hamma, who worked at the store for 10 years and was its manager for seven years, took more than $215,000, some of which was used to pay for both three-week vacations.

A two-month investigation was launched after the store owner noticed “inconsistencies” in the company’s business records.

Detectives say Hamma used at least six different methods to embezzle the money, including allegedly stealing directly from the company’s cash register as well as recording $30,000 in personal expenses on a company credit card.

She is also accused of writing herself a $6,000 bonus check and falsifying time sheets showing more than 800 hours of false work.

“When she added the schedule, we’re talking about 800 hours added in two years. Every time I thought we were getting close to the end, something else would come up,” Detective Tyler Brown said.

Hamma is also accused of fraudulently acting as if she owned the business and “false contracts,” resulting in the store suffering a total loss of $215,318.

She now faces felony charges of breach of trust, forgery and computer crimes, which could result in up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Following Hamm’s arrest, she was released on $15,000 bail, according to FOX Carolina.

Independent has contacted the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office for more information about the incident.