PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — A former assistant to Punta Gorda businessman Bruce Laishley has been arrested on charges of stealing more than $200,000 from his real estate company, Laishley USA.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, 40-year-old Kristina Parrish was arrested Thursday and charged with theft of over $100,000.

Watch Fox 4 Charlotte County Community Correspondent Alex Orenczuk’s report on Kristina Parrish’s arrest:

Former Bruce Laishley Employee Arrested for Stealing Over $200K in Company Funds

The charges stem from when Parrish worked as Laishley’s assistant at Laishley USA, from August 2021 to October 2023. The probable cause affidavit states that Laishley and other employees noticed money was missing from the company in May 2024 and linked the missing funds to “several personal unauthorized transactions” Parrish allegedly made totaling $200,444.39.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Parrish and determined that she had been using a business account at Bank OZK for a variety of personal expenses, including utility bills, credit card payments, car loans, dental visits, and her child’s college tuition, among other transactions.

The PCA states that Parrish had access to the account to make purchases for the company but was not given permission to use the account for personal expenses.

The CCSO said the total amount of funds Parrish misappropriated was $200,434.19, and investigators expect to find more transactions.

Court records show Parrish made her first appearance in Charlotte County Court on Thursday and was ordered to have no contact with Laishley.

Read the full probable cause statement here: