An agent for a housing management company made an appearance in Superior Court on Wednesday, charged with grand larceny and embezzlement. Investigators say executives at Royal American Management found out something was wrong after tenants complained about receiving late rent notices.
Executives from Royal American said they also noticed an unusual number of late notices being sent to one of their three St. Thomas properties, including many that were disputed.
Disgruntled tenants were asked to furnish proof of payment, either by money order or electronic transaction. Tenant payment ledgers were checked and were found with missing entries. Disciplinary action was taken against the agent, who was fired after being on the job for two years.
After filing a complaint with police, investigators from the VIPD Economic Crime Unit got involved. In June, authorities questioned former Community Manager Jalessa Carr about 26 allegedly missing money orders totaling $17,377. Earlier this week, Carr was arrested on a warrant charging her with grand larceny, embezzlement and obtaining money by false pretense.
On Wednesday, Superior Court Magistrate Paula Norkadis found probable cause to uphold the charges. Bail was set at $20,000. The defendant was released, pending trial, after posing a $3,000 cash bond.
She is expected to return to court on Oct. 27 for a scheduled arraignment hearing.
