Miami Condo Manager Arrested for $140,000 'Ghost Employee' Scheme

Allegations of Embezzlement at Miami High-Rise

• 🎯 A former property manager, Yeli Herowit, is accused of orchestrating a scheme to embezzle over $140,000 from a Miami condominium association.
• 🏢 The alleged fraud took place at the Club at Brickell Bay between 2016 and 2023, where Herowit served as the licensed community association manager.

'Ghost Employee' Scheme Details

• 👤 Investigators claim Herowit created a 'ghost employee' system, hiring individuals who performed no actual work.
• 💸 Payments were funneled to a corporation reportedly belonging to a relative, including other family members listed in the arrest warrant.
• 📈 Herowit allegedly used her position and knowledge to falsify payroll records and time sheets to facilitate these fraudulent payments.

Investigation and Audit Crucial

• 🔍 The property management company, First Service, became suspicious after receiving complaints and conducted an audit, which uncovered the irregularities.
• ⚠️ The audit revealed discrepancies such as individuals and companies listed as working for the association without any apparent work performed.

Ongoing Investigation and Broader Implications

• 🚨 Herowit was arrested at another South Florida complex, Sable Chase, where she was also employed as a property manager, though the alleged criminality did not occur there.
• 🗣️ Authorities emphasize the importance of audits for homeowners associations and encourage reporting suspicions to authorities.
• ⚖️ First Service is also pursuing a civil lawsuit against Herowit in addition to the criminal charges.