Dental Office Manager Arrested for Alleged $50,000 Fraud Scheme

USA: A Florida woman, Angela L. Atherton-Nurczyk, was arrested on Wednesday, facing multiple charges related to her role as a dental office manager. The arrest, made by the St. Petersburg Police Department, stems from allegations that she defrauded her employer of over $50,000 during her tenure from 2018 to 2023. 

Atherton-Nurczyk’s journey with Dr. Vivian Quesada-Fox’s dental practice began in 2006 when she was hired as a receptionist. Over the years, she worked her way up and assumed the role of office manager a decade later. Her responsibilities included overseeing customer payments, managing insurance claims, and handling the sale of precious metals to a refinery company.

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Alleged Financial Wrongdoings

During her tenure as the office manager, Atherton-Nurczyk is accused of depositing a total of $50,746.83 into her personal bank accounts through stolen checks, Cash App transactions, and refund payments. 

Additionally, she faces accusations of selling “stolen dental crowns and bridges” obtained from the dental office to Garfield Refinery Company in Philadelphia, pocketing the proceeds, as detailed in the arrest report.

In December 2022, Atherton-Nurczyk became aware of an ongoing investigation into her actions. Allegedly, she responded by sending threatening text messages to Dr. Quesada-Fox and her husband. According to the St. Petersburg police, these messages included threats to accuse Dr. Quesada-Fox of a crime, harm their reputation, and expose them to disgrace if they continued pursuing criminal charges against her.

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Legal Charges and Bond

Angela L. Atherton-Nurczyk faces multiple charges, including scheme to defraud (in excess of $50,000), forgery, dealing in stolen property, and extortion. Following her arrest, she was booked into the Pinellas County Jail. She has since been released on a $112,000 bond.

The case highlights the seriousness of alleged financial misconduct within dental practices and the legal consequences that can follow such actions.