In a shocking turn of events, a payroll supervisor at a Miami-based business has been arrested for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from the company's employees. The investigation uncovered a complex scheme involving unauthorized changes to direct deposit information and the diversion of funds into the supervisor's personal accounts.

Uncovering a Brazen Theft Scheme

Suspicious Activity Triggers Internal Investigation

The saga began when the Mr. Hospitality Group, located at 999 Brickell Ave. in Miami, started receiving complaints from employees who claimed they had not received their paychecks. Initially, the company believed the issue was related to the new payroll system they had recently implemented. However, as the investigation progressed, a more sinister truth emerged.Over the following weeks, the company discovered that the direct deposit information for more than 10 current and former employees had been altered, with the funds being redirected to two PNC Bank accounts. Concerned by this discovery, the company's IT department conducted an internal audit, which revealed that the payroll supervisor, Saidah Christina Byars, had made the unauthorized changes using her personal email address.

Tracing the Trail of Stolen Funds

According to the arrest report, Byars, a 35-year-old Miami resident, had been recently hired by the company in March when the payroll discrepancies began to surface. The investigation uncovered that Byars had received numerous deposits ranging from $518.29 to $1,596.41, totaling a staggering $46,135.21 in stolen funds.The stolen money was quickly depleted through a series of debit card purchases at various stores, ATM withdrawals, and Cash App payments. Authorities were able to trace the trail of the embezzled funds, painting a clear picture of Byars' brazen scheme.

Byars' Abrupt Departure and Denial of Wrongdoing

The investigation took a dramatic turn on May 19, when Byars was discovered to have had her access to the payroll system revoked. Confronted with the evidence, Byars reportedly walked out of the office, and the company was unable to contact her again.When questioned by the police, Byars denied the allegations, claiming that the company's shared computer system allowed anyone to make changes to the payroll, and that any modifications had been approved by her supervisor. However, the overwhelming evidence gathered during the investigation painted a very different picture.

Charges and Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Saidah Christina Byars was arrested on Tuesday by a Miami Police Department detective and transported for questioning. She now faces charges of grand theft, organized fraud, and fraudulent use of identification. As of Wednesday afternoon, Byars remained in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, with her total bond yet to be set.The case has sent shockwaves through the local business community, raising concerns about the importance of robust internal controls and the need for vigilance in safeguarding employee payroll information. The Mr. Hospitality Group's swift action and the diligent investigation by the authorities have brought this brazen theft scheme to light, serving as a cautionary tale for businesses and a reminder of the consequences of betraying the trust placed in those responsible for managing critical financial operations.