A former Dunkin’ Donuts manager was arrested and charged with hiring a “fictitious” employee, giving the fake employee a hourly work schedule, then pocketing the paychecks.
Markia Nelson, 29, was arrested Monday and charged with grand theft after the franchise owner became suspicious about a newly hired employee who didn’t seem to physically exist.
Nelson was the manager at the Dunkin’ Donuts location on Ulmerton Road near 40th Street North in Largo, Florida.
Police said Nelson hired a “fictitious person” on May 15 and logged work hours for the non-existent staffer from May 16 through July 6, a total of 235 hours.
The fake employee was paid a minimum wage of $8.65 an hour and Nelson pocketed a total of $1,610.84 in unearned wages.
Nelson direct-deposited the earnings into her own bank account and told police she used some of the money for “life expenses.”
Nelson was booked into the Pinellas County Jail. Online records show she posted bond and was released.
