A woman from San Antonio has been sentenced to 160 months in federal prison after being convicted of embezzling over $595,000 from three businesses and their clients.
Monica Marie Padilla, 49, received her sentence on September 16, 2026. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, she exploited her position as a bookkeeper at various companies between June 2021 and February 2025, gaining access to both bank and credit accounts to commit her crimes.
Details of her fraudulent activities reveal that Padilla misappropriated company funds for personal expenses. These included home renovations, purchasing Disney merchandise, indulging in hundreds of DoorDash orders, and funding her daughter’s cheerleading activities. Additionally, she took a lavish trip to California that amounted to over $5,700.
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons characterized Padilla as a “financial predator,” highlighting her extensive criminal history. He emphasized the significant impact that embezzlement can have, stating, “An embezzling bookkeeper can do incalculable harm not just to the victimized businesses but to the lives of many innocent people. The monetary harm is usually just the tip of the iceberg in these types of cases.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel Faith noted that Padilla betrayed the trust placed in her by her employers, using the misappropriated funds for her personal benefit. Her fraudulent activities did not cease while she was out on pretrial release; after obtaining a remote bookkeeping position, she continued to defraud her new employer and their clients.
Initially indicted on 30 counts in August 2023, Padilla faced a superseding indictment in February 2025 which included 18 counts. During her release, she violated bond conditions, lied to pretrial services, and was later charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and one count of money laundering. She pleaded guilty to all five charges on August 20, 2025.
The investigation into Padilla’s actions was conducted by the FBI.
