Employee theft - would you prosecute?

[DRT]

I would at least file the police report and terminate.

[RedBear78]

I had a similar but different experience.Employee borrowed a vehicle and decided to quit and not return the truck.The guy was having legitimate psychological issues but I had to file a police report and some other paperwork to get things handled.I got the truck back after a while.When the time came for him to go to court over the matter he had gotten help and was living a normal life.I didn’t want things to make matters worse but I felt he needed to own up for some things so that’s what I told the prosecutor.The prosecutor got creative so that he had to pay me back for a few things and went on probation.But after everything was said and done it wasn’t something that would adversely affect him in making progress in life.I think you need to make a police report but maby things can unfold so that things get taken care of,she learns a lesson,pays restitution but can move on progressively if she elects to.

[dustoffer]

Have her admit in an e-mail she was stealing from the company and then resign/quit. Be sly about it. Then you can not pay her unemployment. You know once fired she'll apply, and they will take her side.

This first, then file the police report, using the email to substantiate it.

[Chew]

Your attorney can't file charges. He lied. Get a new attorney and a new employee.

[spread5150]

Drugs. Do not keep her on. A lot of people use and abuse drugs. They can keep it together until they are stealing. Get rid of her. Report and walk away. Your business hopefully won’t but will likely face bigger losses. Learn from it. Move on.

[BuckRage]

BTDT. Shouldnt cost you any money. Call police and show detectives the evidence. If they choose to bring charges or not it will scare the S@*+ out of her and hopefully onto the right track.JMO

[BuckRage]

BTW it will only end up being a slap on the wrist. Maybe not even that but thats not the point. Maybe a misdemeanor ticket. Anyone thinking shes in deep doo doo is wrong even if it ALL goes your way. Still the point is there has to be consequences and when she does it again (high likelihood) it will at least be in the record for the next time.

[Bard]

If you allow your son to punch his little sister then he will grow up to abuse his wife. Discipline stops foolish behavior. If she is not fired, she will continue these actions and it will spread to those around her and you will have a den of thieves.

[BTLowry]

File the police report after you terminate her

Might get your money back, might not. BUT hopefully if someone else is looking to hire and does a background check it will show and save them from being a victim of her.

I would be glad to find out before hiring someone that they were a thief

[Johnny44]

If she steals from the next employer then its your fault if you don’t prosecute

[lanceodom]

Prosecute. We had an employee steal from us and I wish I would’ve filed charges. I’m sure this person did it again because she went unpunished.

[Black Ice]

I own a small business, and one of my employees has been stealing from me. She initially denied it until I showed her the video footage, and then she admitted to it. She offered to pay me back, but has since gone silent. It amounts to about $750 of inventory (not cash). The employee is young and I know she lives paycheck to paycheck with no savings. After reviewing the details, my attorney said he could file charges and place a lien but it would cost me $2,500 in legal fees. Ultimately he advised me to simply walk away as I likely wouldn't see a dime from her. Interestingly, he also said it would be a waste of time to file a police report as they likely wouldn't do anything.

It's frustrating as I and my staff gave her multiple chances to stay with us - she consistently was late to work or sometimes not even show up. My other employees are really upset as they all feel protective of the business and she was brazen in her theft.

What would you do in my shoes?

I’d spend the $2500 just to mess with her and teach her a lesson.

[dc1986]

If she steals from the next employer then its your fault if you don’t prosecute

B.S- it’s 100% her fault.

[Burnadell]

Was she selling the inventory? What kind is it?

ATXbowhunter, you asked for advice and gotten lots of it, yet have not posted back or answered questions. What did you decide to do?

[Johnny44]

B.S- it’s 100% her fault.

you sound like a Soros driven Biden supporter