Audit Unveils 224 Stolen, Forged Checks; Brandon Office Assistant Arrested

An office assistant for Brandon Cardiology on Oakfield Drive faces 224 counts of fraud and one count of grand theft following an investigation launched after a  report was filed Valentine's Day, according to a report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

According to the sheriff's office, officials from Brandon Cardiology, at 320 Oakfield Drive, filed the report after the results of a 2012 audit.

Charged in the case is Kenia Elena Exposita, 50, of 7612 South Swoope St., Tampa.  She reportedly faces 224 counts of uttering a forged instrument and one count of grand theft.

Detectives discovered during their investigation that Exposita "stole 224 checks that were made payable to Brandon Cardiology." The report further notes that when patients made checks payable to "Brandon Cardiology," Exposita allegedly would "change the payee name or delete Brandon Cardiology" and "then put her name on the checks."

"She also told patients to leave the 'Pay to' section blank because she had a stamp for the checks," the report continues. "She then deposited the stolen forged checks into her personal checking account."

Exposita reportedly was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 28, at home and transported to the Orient Road Jail.