A Port St. Lucie woman pleaded guilty to charges related to a theft scheme at a Palm Beach County apartment complex, receiving probation and other penalties as part of a plea agreement.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —
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A Port St. Lucie resident accused of theft at a Palm Beach County apartment complex more than two years ago entered a plea agreement.
According to court documents in Palm Beach County, Ashley R. Clayton, 38, pleaded guilty on Monday, Oct. 5, to money laundering, organized scheme to defraud and making false entry in book of business entity.
Clayton agreed to the plea agreement on Sept. 10.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Ashley R. Clayton
Clayton was sentenced to five years of probation for each charge, but will serve the penalties at the same time, credited with 12 days of time served in Palm Beach County jail, ordered to pay court costs and complete community service.
As part of the plea agreement, Clayton and the victim will determine the amount of restitution Clayton owes to the property management company of the apartment complex.
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Clayton is banned from performing any financial transaction for any business or person and was ordered to complete mental health and substance abuse evaluations.
According to a Riviera Beach Police Department report, Clayton was an employee at Berkeley Landing Apartments located at 3100 Broadway for three months.
On June 13, 2024, a regional manager for the apartment complex told police that Clayton was the community manager who oversaw payments for rent, deposits, application fees, background checks, credit checks and compliance application process for the apartment complex.
It was determined that Clayton was collecting money by having residents use Zelle, which allows users to electronically transfer money.
The residents’ money went to Clayton’s banking account.
Some residents even gave Clayton blank money orders.
The police report said Clayton sent residents a letter on apartment complex letterhead stating, “They are currently working on making sure all payment ledgers are up-to-date. We are asking that rent payments be made in the form of money orders until further notice.”
The apartment complex did not give Clayton permission to send the letter.
Clayton was fired but returned to the property and returned 20 money orders totaling $14,798.22 to the apartment complex management.
The police report noted that Clayton kept three money orders and attempted to cash them at an Amscot in Miami.
One of the three money orders was cashed, and the apartment complex was missing at least $11,999.23.
Clayton collected $31,249.32 through Zelle, and at least $58,046.77 was stolen.
The police report lists five additional individuals from whom Clayton took money from under false terms while working for the apartment complex.
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