Michael Latrace and Margaret Elaine O’Brien, both Medical University of South Carolina (SC) College of Dental Medicine employees, were arrested Monday and accused of stealing nearly $28,500 by altering payroll documents and buying expensive electronics for personal use, according to court affidavits.
Michael Latrace and Margaret Elaine O’Brien charged
Michael Latrace, 47, of Vestry Drive, is charged with one count of breach of trust and one count of forgery. He was released from Charleston County jail on $25,000 bail. Margaret Elaine O’Brien, 39, of Sycamore Avenue, is charged with two counts of breach of trust and one count of forgery. She was released from the same jail on the same bail amount.
Both were charged by the State Law Enforcement Division. It is unclear if the two are still employed there.
Latrace is listed in the affidavit as the College of Dental Medicine finance director and allegedly instructed O’Brien and another woman, who has not been charged, to submit false payroll documentation for more pay instead of giving them raises.
The scheme went on from April 1, 2014 to April 21 of this year. O’Brien received $14,957 and the other woman received $8,685 as a result, according to the affidavit.
Cases Like This Are Far More Common Than Most Dentists Realize.
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