SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison after she embezzled money while working as a bookkeeper, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Monica Padilla, 49, embezzled money from various businesses during three separate periods between June 2021 and February 2025, the DOJ said in a news release.
Padilla used various methods to fraudulently steal money, as she had access to bank and credit accounts.
Federal officials said Padilla used the stolen money to remodel her home, purchase Disney merchandise, place hundreds of DoorDash orders, fund a more than $5,700 trip to California and more.
She was first indicted on 30 counts on Aug. 16, 2023, before she was indicted again two years later.
In Feb. 2025, Padilla violated her bond conditions, obtained employment as a remote bookkeeper and defrauded another business, the DOJ said.
In total, federal officials said she stole approximately $595,000.
“An embezzling bookkeeper can do incalculable harm not just to the victimized businesses but to the lives of many innocent people. The monetary harm is usually just the tip of the iceberg in these types of cases,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons.
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