Indiana police have arrested a former Pawlak Orthodontics employee for allegedly stealing nearly $300,000 from the practice, according to local news station WDRB.
Malinda Downey, 47, worked at the Madison, Ind., dental practice for 17 years collecting and tracking patient payments.
Elizabeth Pawlak, DDS, was conducting an audit when she discovered that around $300,000 went missing between 2014 and 2019. After she contacted authorities, an investigation allegedly tracked the missing payments to Ms. Downey, who was charged with theft.
Dr. Pawlak said that no patient information was affected.
Ms. Downey has been released on bond. She pleaded not guilty at an initial court appearance and is scheduled to appear in a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 16.