Receptionist charged with embezzlement

An arrest warrant has been issued for a 28-year-old Keota woman, Taylor A. Hunter, charged with felony embezzlement.

Hunter, a former receptionist at Pain Management of Oklahoma in Sallisaw, is accused of taking more than $2,500 in deposit funds from the business. She was formally charged on Feb. 27 in Sequoyah County District Court and a warrant was issued for her arrest the same day, according to court documents.

Sallisaw Police officer Lalita Armer said on Jan. 30 she took a report from a representative of the business who stated that Hunter, a receptionist at the branch on W. Ruth, had been responsible for collecting co-payments from patients. As part of her duties, she was also required to run a daily report of all the collected payments, and depositing them into their bank account. She was then required to email a copy of the deposit receipt to her supervisor and the company’s accountant.

In December 2024, accounting staff contacted the supervisor to let her know that the bank had not received any deposits from Hunter since Nov. 20, 2024. When the supervisor confronted Hunter about the missing deposits, she stated she was unaware and had allegedly deposited the collected payments into the bank account. She also claimed the receipts were in a bank bag at her residence that she’d accidentally forgotten it in an old purse. She went on to reassure the supervisor she would take photos of the deposits and receipts, and send them to her once she got home.

Later that evening, the supervisor messaged Hunter, requesting the photos of the receipts and received no response from her, according to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case. The next morning, Hunter reportedly responded, saying that she did not have her phone and would be late because she was trying to locate the receipts. Hunter reportedly arrived two hours late for work and brought a bank bag containing 12 deposit receipts that were all dated Dec. 18, 2024.

When she was questioned as to why multiple deposits had been made on the same day, Hunter claimed she’d fallen behind and forgotten to make them. After being questioned further, Hunter then stated that she’d left cash and check deposits in her vehicle at home and suspected someone had stolen them but was afraid to report it.

She also claimed that she planned to “fix the problem herself,” but Armer informed her that if the theft had occurred, it should have been reported immediately. Hunter was instructed at that time to return any remaining company funds that were in her possession, to which she admitted to having some cash in her purse totaling $110.

After further review of the documentation, it was found that about $2,576.79 was still unaccounted for, according to the affidavit. Hunter claimed she was unaware that she had failed to deposit such a significant amount, and was unable to return the funds.

Hunter wrote out a statement admitting to taking the funds, and explaining why the deposits had not been made. Her personal belongings were collected and she was escorted out of the building. She was also informed that if she did not return the missing funds the business would report the theft to authorities, and she’d have to find a way to repay the entire amount.

On Dec. 19, Hunter texted the supervisor requesting additional time to pay back the funds and was told that would be up to the owners. The supervisor texted her back the following day, telling her she had until Jan. 31, 2025, to return the full amount and would be required to sign a written agreement outlining the repayment terms. Hunter reportedly never responded to the message and has not made any effort to return the stolen funds, according to the affidavit.

Associate District Judge Kyle Waters has set Hunter’s bond at $5,000. District Attorney Jack Thorp said if convicted of the crime, it is punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for up to five years and a fine not to exceed $5,000, and restitution.