Pinellas CPA, attorney indicted in nearly $900K embezzlement case

Federal prosecutors have charged a Palm Harbor CPA and attorney with embezzling more than $890,000 from one of her clients — an unnamed “public figure” who lives in the Middle District of Florida. 

Melissia Gathreaux, 56, has been charged with six counts of wire fraud, according to her federal indictment and the U.S. Attorney's office for the Middle District, based in Tampa. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. 

According to her indictment, Gauthreaux was the founder, president and managing member of Accounting Resources and Management Services, or ARMS LLC, a full-service accounting firm established in Palm Harbor in 2013, records show. 

From 2017 through 2021, Gauthreaux is accused of using her business to steal $894,274.26 from her client, authorities allege. Gauthreaux had signatory authority on her client’s bank accounts and was able to remove the funds without the client’s knowledge or consent, the indictment says. 

If convicted, Gauthreaux faces a forfeiture order for the same amount, prosecutors say. Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn Hoenemeyer will prosecute the case.