PUNTA GORDA - On Wednesday, Punta Gorda Police Detectives arrested 33-year-old Angela Marie Dees of Punta Gorda on charges stemming from a massive embezzlement investigation.

The Law Firm of Moore and Waksler, located at 1107 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda conducted a recent financial audit and discovered approximately 1.67 million dollars in missing funds and called police.  Detectives were able to trace funds being directly deposited into the personal bank account of then employee, Angela Marie Dees through wire transfers and other means since taking employment in 2002.

The wire transfers range from $600.00 to $6,000.00 and forged checks were as large as $75,000.00.  Angela Dees' bank account records indicate she spent approximately $500,000.00 on frivolous purchases such as eating at local restaurants and family entertainment.

She was arrested on 129 counts of Grand Theft, 114 counts of Wire Fraud, 16 counts of Uttering a Forged Instrument, and 2 counts of Petit Theft.  She is being held at the Charlotte County Jail on $657,000.00 bond.