HOUSTON — A Spring woman was recently sentenced to prison time for stealing money from her boss who said she considered her a close friend.
Sonia Yvonne Rodriguez, 52, was convicted of wire fraud after pleading guilty, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Rodriguez admitted she embezzled $938,387 in business funds allocated for federal tax payments between 2015 and 2020.
Rodriguez worked as an office manager at the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning company for 26 years. At her sentencing hearing, the owner testified that the defendant, once considered one of her best friends, had deeply betrayed her.
“This sentencing sends a clear message that those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain will face serious consequences,” U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani said. “Embezzlement schemes like this not only harm businesses financially but also shatter personal and professional relationships built on trust. We remain committed to holding offenders accountable and seeking justice for victims.”
A federal judge sentenced Rodriguez to 23 months in federal prison followed by a year of supervised release.
The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation.
