Employee allegedly embezzled $215,000 from the furniture store where she worked for more than two years

An employee has been accused of embezzling more than $200,000 from a South Carolina employee furniture shop and spend some of it on two European vacations.

Maria Hamma, 46, from South Carolina allegedly stole the money from her employer Furniture of High Point in Anderson County, according to authorities.

Anderson County Sheriff’s Office alleges Hamma, who worked at the store for 10 years and was manager for seven years, took more than $215,000, some of which was used to pay for both three-week vacations.

A two-month investigation was launched after the store’s owner noticed “inconsistencies” in the company’s operating records.

Detectives allege Hamma used at least six different methods to embezzle the funds, including stealing directly from the company’s cash register and charging $30,000 in personal expenses to the company’s credit card.

She is also accused of writing herself a $6,000 bonus check and forging time cards with more than 800 hours of fake work.

“When she completed the time card, we were talking about 800 hours added over the course of two years. Every time I thought we were getting close to the end, something else would pop up,” Detective Tyler Brown said.

Hamma is also accused of fraudulently acting as if she were the owner of the business and “forging contracts,” resulting in a total loss to the store of $215,318.

She now faces felony charges of breach of trust, forgery and computer crime. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison.

Following her arrest, Hamma was released on $15,000 bail, FOX Carolina reported.

The Independent has contacted the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office for more information about the incident.