A former payroll manager at a Miami orthopedic clinic is facing multiple felony charges after investigators accused her of secretly funneling more than $1.5 million from the business into her own accounts over a two-year period.
Rachel Lynne Poor, 40, of Coral Springs, Florida, was arrested on May 21 following an investigation by the Miami Police Department. Prosecutors charged her with first-degree grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, and credit card fraud.
Authorities allege the theft happened while Poor worked as the paymaster for Miami Back & Neck Specialists, a medical practice located on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami’s Bay Point area.
The investigation began after the clinic hired a new payroll manager in 2024. According to police records cited by several Florida news outlets, the employee uncovered unusual payroll activity tied to Poor’s compensation history. The clinic’s owner, an orthopedic surgeon, later filed a police report.
Investigators claim Poor manipulated payroll records to dramatically increase her income without approval from management.
Poor allegedly “had been altering her own payroll data, including modifying her salary and issuing unauthorized bonuses to herself without the (doctor’s) knowledge or authorization.”
Police say she also falsely presented herself as the owner of the business while setting up the clinic’s payroll account with ADP, one of the nation’s largest payroll processing companies. That move allegedly gave her unrestricted access to payroll systems, employee salary controls, payment approvals, and bonus authorizations.
According to investigators, Poor boosted her biweekly paychecks by roughly $1,720 between September 2021 and January 2024. Authorities also accuse her of issuing herself large bonuses, some reportedly reaching $25,000 at a time.
The alleged payroll manipulation totaled $1,092,692, investigators said.
Police further claim Poor used a company credit card for personal expenses, resulting in an additional $411,737 in unauthorized purchases.
Court filings show Poor has entered a written plea of not guilty. She also waived arraignment and requested a jury trial.
Attorney Jean Richardson is listed as her legal counsel in Miami-Dade County court records. The documents show bond amounts totaling $35,000 across the three felony charges. An arraignment hearing had reportedly been scheduled for July 20.
Read Also: Florida Man Charged in Roommate’s Killing After Argument Over Vaping
