Ex-dental manager sentenced for embezzlement

A former office manager at a pediatric dental practice in Colorado who was accused of embezzling about $27,000 from her employer was sentenced on May 17, according to a story published on May 17 in The Journal.

Angelina Mulholland, of Farmington, CO, was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $34,665 in restitution in exchange for her pleading guilty to theft. She reportedly embezzled $26,775 from Durango Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Durango, CO, while working there from November 2021 to February 2023. The rest of the restitution includes audit and investigation fees, according to the story.

In March 2023, Mulholland was arrested and accused of fraudulently using a dental practice credit card to make more than 120 personal purchases, including spending $976 at Discount Tire and paying a $626 phone bill, and embezzling cash deposits.

In February 2023, the practice owner contacted police to report Mulholland for fraudulently using a dental office credit/debit card to pay for personal items. Initially, the practice identified $2,845 in fraudulent expenses, but Mulholland later admitted to making the purchases and signed a "deduction authorization document," in which she agreed to pay back the office for the money she took, according to the story.

A few weeks later, the owner filed another police report after she learned that Mulholland had stolen much more. Mullholland allegedly used both company cards and cash deposits for personal items and services.

Though her plea deal required her to pay $10,000 of her restitution at her sentencing, she was only able to pay $2,500. Mulholland reportedly cashed out her retirement plan, has found employment, and is trying to get a loan to pay back the rest of the money she took, according to the story.

Mulholland told the court she wanted to make amends and move forward.