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Accounting manager accused of stealing $228K from HOAs to pay for groceries, Bucs games

Jamie Fonville also used the money she stole to cover personal credit cards, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — A 46-year-old woman in charge of managing the bank accounts for 58 homeowner associations is accused of putting money in her account and paying for Tampa Bay Buccaneers game tickets.

Jamie Fonville, who's from Tarpon Springs, was arrested on three counts of felony scheme to defraud, according to a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office news release.

The total amount of money allegedly lost is estimated at about $228,300.

Deputies say Fonville was employed as an accounting manager with Palm Harbor-based First Choice Association Management. Although she was responsible for managing the bank accounts and issuing checks on behalf of homeowner associations, she instead allegedly was creating fraudulent checks using the personal information from three associations and making deposits into her personal bank account.

It's believed Fonville used money to pay for daily expenses, food, groceries, credit card payments and Bucs games.

Investigators began looking into a potential crime when they were made aware of suspicious activity in February 2022 from an account overseen by First Choice Association Management, according to the sheriff's office.

Fonville was arrested on June 24 and was booked in the Pinellas County jail.

10 Tampa Bay spoke with Randy Unwin, who is the director of operations for First Choice Association Management where she worked. Unwin confirmed Fonville has been terminated, along with her manager. 

Unwin said Fonville's manager was made aware of problems months ago bud did not act. He said "no" when asked if there are trainings employees go through to prevent a situation like this. Right now, Unwin said First Choice Association Management officials are looking into more oversight for employees.

Unwin told 10 Tampa Bay there are five victims they know of, but there may be more. In terms of victims getting their money back, Unwin said they will need to file private insurance claims.

Records show Fonville previously has been arrested for stealing and on other fraud charges.

Deputies say there may be additional unreported victims, and anyone with information about the case is asked to call Corporal Kyle Cruise with the sheriff office's economic crimes unit at 727-582-5711.

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