Worker accidentally overpaid $400,000 she ‘thought was a bonus’ on her $60k salary & blew it on luxury shopping.

A routine payroll mistake at a prestigious Florida horse clinic spiraled into a headline-grabbing case of grand theft, after longtime receptionist Yessica Arrua, 29, allegedly pocketed more than $400,000 that was meant for a veterinarian’s salary. What started as an administrative slip-up ended with police at the door, luxury shopping bags in hand, and a community asking: How could this happen?

Yessica Arrua, the Florida receptionist at the center of a $400,000 payroll error scandal, pictured before her high-profile a

Arrua, who had been with Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) for nine years, was supposed to earn $60,000 a year. But from February 2022 to January 2023, she received deposits totaling nearly $450,000—a veterinarian’s annual pay—after payroll provider Harbor America mistakenly routed the doctor’s salary into her account.

The error went unnoticed for nearly a year. According to police reports, the veterinarian whose salary was diverted didn’t realize she was missing paychecks until her credit cards began declining. By then, Arrua had already spent much of the windfall.

Authorities allege Arrua splurged on luxury brands like Coach and Michael Kors, bought furniture, dined at restaurants, and transferred thousands via Zelle to contacts including “Mama Dukes.” She also spent $80,000 on a food truck for a friend of her mother’s and wired money to Argentina to help build a family house.

When confronted, Arrua admitted she knew she was being overpaid but claimed she thought it was a bonus—citing rumors that a previous receptionist had received a large reward for saving the practice money. “They thought it was a ‘gift from God,’” she reportedly told police.

When confronted, Arrua admitted she knew she was being overpaid but claimed she thought it was a bonus

After the mistake was discovered, Arrua broke down and confessed to the veterinarian. She managed to return $200,000 via a cashier’s check but said the rest was gone—spent or sent abroad. She told police she didn’t know how to approach the company president about repayment, especially after he became angry.

Arrua was arrested on June 27 and charged with grand theft and money laundering, both over $100,000. She remains in custody at Palm Beach’s Main Detention Center

The clinic’s president, Dr. Scott Swerdlin, is demanding accountability not just from Arrua but also from Harbor America, the payroll provider. Police noted several mistakes by the third-party company, but efforts to clarify details have been hampered as key employees have since left the firm.

Arrua’s story is especially jarring for those who knew her. She grew up around horses, immigrated from Argentina, and had worked at PBEC since she was a child. Her journey from trusted team member to accused felon has left the community stunned.

This case is a cautionary tale about the real-world consequences of payroll errors, personal responsibility, and the temptation of sudden, unearned wealth. It also raises tough questions about oversight, trust, and what happens when a windfall turns out to be a ticking time bomb.