Trending

Deputies: Georgia dental employee stole $84K from customers

Essence Boatwright, 40, is accused of stealing more than $84,000 from customers over a five-year period.

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — An account manager for a Georgia dental corporation is accused of abusing her power and stealing more than $84,000 from customers.

>> Read more trending news

The scam allegedly went on for five years and involved dozens of victims.

Essence Boatwright, 40, was an account manager for Carestream Dental.

From May 2012 to January 2017, Boatwright allegedly used her position to steal tens of thousands of dollars.

“Well, you can always get away with it for a long time, but eventually you’re always gonna get caught,” said KC Rowe of with Katella Investigations.

The Cobb County Sheriff's Office said Boatwright accessed customers' Carestream Dental profiles by using her company log-in and password.

According to an arrest warrant, Boatwright accessed 35 customers’ accounts and made refunds totaling $84,750.

"You’ve got 35 alleged victims, possibly more," Rowe said.

Instead of refunding the money to customers, investigators said the refunds were credited to Boatwright’s checking account.

“She had access to approve and deny, so she could manipulate. And there needs to be some type of checks and balances happening,” Rowe said.

Rowe is not assigned to this case, but he frequently works with attorneys and local companies on internal audits.

“Start doing a review, from 2012 allegedly is when it started. You’re gonna have to go back to do some digging,” Rowe said.

The Sheriff’s Office said Boatwright had the authority to approve Carestream credit applications. She also had access to banking and credit card information.

According to court records, Boatwright was arrested at an office in Buckhead. She was released on a $93,000 bond.