As reported by Menlo Park officials, a 59-year-old Mountain View woman, Amerlinda Mendoza, has been arrested and faces charges related to identity fraud and embezzlement. The arrest happened yesterday after an investigation implicated her in financial misconduct that played a significant part in the collapse of Strategic Business Insights, a Menlo Park business where she was employed as the Finance Manager, according to the City of Menlo Park.

After serving the company for more than nine years, Mendoza stepped into a role with major financial oversight at SBI in January 2023. She was responsible for handling the company's bank accounts and managing vendor payments, fund transfers, and payroll. It was in January 2024 that inconsistencies in the business's finances emerged, leading the CEO to approach the Menlo Park Police Department and subsequently to Mendoza's resignation two days later.

An investigation conducted by the Menlo Park Police Department discovered that Mendoza had funneled roughly $500,000 from SBI's accounts over a year, using the stolen funds for personal expenditures, including gambling at local casinos and transferring money using services like Venmo and PayPal. The financial aftermath of her actions resulted in SBI’s eventual bankruptcy, and more than twenty employees lost their jobs while vendors remained uncompensated.

Law enforcement officials executed a search at Mendoza's residence, and she was taken into custody without incident on the back of a $750,000 arrest warrant. She faces one count of Embezzlement and 18 counts of Identity Fraud, the City of Menlo Park reported. The case moves to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office for further action and prosecution.

San Mateo County Jail records confirm that Mendoza is being held for one Embezzlement - Penal Code 508 PC and 18 Identity Fraud - Penal Code 530.5(a) PC. With the case handed over to the District Attorney's office, further details are expected to unravel with the progression of the trial.