In a bizarre twist that feels straight out of a sitcom, a Florida veterinary receptionist received more than $414,000 in accidental payroll payments — and chose to keep it.
Rather than alert her employer, she used the unexpected windfall to buy a food truck, send money to “Mama Dukes,” and fund a family home in Argentina.
Yessica Arrua, 29, was earning $60,000 a year at Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) in Wellington when a payroll error began in February 2022. Over the next 11 months, she was paid over $414,000 — nearly seven times her actual salary.
While many might have alerted HR, Arrua instead decided to spend freely, assuming the cash was a bonus or a reward for her dedication.
Bonus or Bank Blunder?
When questioned, Arrua told investigators she believed the payments could have been a performance bonus — possibly for saving the clinic money, much like another former employee had done. But the truth was more mundane: a massive payroll mistake that flew under the radar for nearly a year.
During her brief taste of luxury, Arrua sent thousands through Zelle to someone she called “Mama Dukes,” spent $80,000 on a food truck for her mother’s friend, and wired large sums to Argentina to help build her family a home.
The mistake only came to light when the clinic’s lead veterinarian noticed her own paycheck was missing and her credit cards were declined. A quick audit revealed the source of the problem — and where the clinic’s money had disappeared.
Once confronted, Arrua reportedly cried and returned $200,000 via cashier’s check. But she insisted the rest was gone — her mother had already sent $100,000 to Argentina, convinced it was a divine blessing.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office didn’t share that belief. Arrua was arrested and booked at the county’s main detention center, charged with grand theft and money laundering.
Founded in 1981, PBEC is known for treating elite equestrian horses. Following the debacle, clinic president Dr. Scott Swerdlin has asked that both Arrua and the payroll provider, Harbor America, be held accountable for the oversight.
As for the food truck, it reportedly hasn’t opened for business. And the dream home in Argentina? Still under construction.
In the end, Arrua’s story serves as a modern-day cautionary tale — a reminder that unexpected money might feel like a miracle, but it can quickly become a legal nightmare.