FORT BEND COUNTY – A Katy woman faces charges after authorities say she stole more than $250,000 from her former employer.
Kimberlee Koteras, 41, was arrested Tuesday on charges of theft of property: more than $100,000 and less than $200,000, misapplication of fiduciary funds greater than $200,000, and money laundering of $200,000.
The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office says Koteras was an employee of three years at Percheron Acquisitions in the Fulshear and Houston areas.
Authorities say she manipulated the payroll process by adding money to her per diem and mileage pay to increase her paychecks.
In her position, Koteras was the last person to see the payroll information before it was sent off to a payroll check vendor, the sheriff's office said. In addition, Koteras added "ghost" employees to the system and collected funds from their electronic drafts.
Authorities say a review of the payroll process by company personnel exposed the theft.
During the investigation by the sheriff's office, authorities say Koteras was able to pocket between $250,000 and $260,000 in 18 months.
Koteras is being held in the Fort Bend County Jail on a $75,000 bond.