TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A former property manager at University Green Apartments has been arrested, accused of stealing over $21,000 worth of tenants' rent money for herself.
Xianna Pagan, 27, was the property manager at University Green Apartments when she stole and cashed 55 money orders valued at $21,403, according to a probable cause document.
On Jan. 29, 2018, the owner of the company that operates the apartments told the investigator about the altered money order that prompted the investigation.
The company's bookkeeper found that in December 2017 a tenant tendered a $650 money order that Pagan's name was added to as an alternate payee, the court document said. That money order was cashed at Ace Cash Express at 2011 North Monroe Street.
Then, checking into the rent payments from University Green, the bookkeeper and the owner of the company found more discrepancies concerning rent payments.
Pagan's signature on the money orders was found to be similar to her "known signature from her Florida driver license," a Leon County Sheriff's Office investigator wrote.
Several tenants also told the investigator they did not add the name "Xianna Pagan" to their rent payments.
In a letter of resignation sent by email, Pagan "admitted to taking the 'missing money orders from December,'" the court document said.
"I would like to ask that my vacation time and sick time be applied to my last check and for you to keep my final check and apply it to the missing payments for December," the court document said. "I would like to thank you for the opportunity to work with this company and I do apologize for the troubles that I have put you through."
Speaking with the investigator by phone, Pagan agreed to meet with the investigator in April but did not show up for the interview, court documents said. Other attempts to contact her by telephone were unsuccessful.
Pagan was arrested for passing forged/altered instruments, grand theft of $20,000 less than $100,000 and committing fraud to obtain property under $20,000.
She was booked into the Leon County Detention Center on Friday and released after two days in jail on a $10,000 bond.
