Woman claims vet’s affairs coordinator with public defender’s office stole $65K while she was in jail
Courtesy: Sarasota County Sheriff's Office
PALMETTO, Fla. - A veterans affairs coordinator for a Florida public defender's office faces multiple felony charges after authorities said she stole nearly $65,000 from a woman held inside the Manatee County jail.
Sarasota police investigation
What we know:
A woman went to the Sarasota Police Department desk on Aug. 18 to report fraudulent activity across her Wells Fargo checking account and certificate of deposit. The victim noticed unauthorized charges, cash withdrawals and account transfers made between November 2025 and July.
"Thankfully, that victim noticed something wasn’t right and once she got out of jail she started going through her personal affairs, she realized that she was missing in excess 65,000 dollars and that’s why she came to the Sarasota police department so we could begin our investigation," said Genevieve Judge with the Sarasota Police Department.
Detectives identified the suspect as Jessica Elizabeth McVay, 48, of Palmetto. McVay knew the victim through her position as a veterans affairs coordinator for the Public Defender's Office in the 12th Judicial Circuit.
When the victim was arrested for aggravated assault in August 2025, she asked McVay to assist with her personal affairs while jailed. Police said McVay had exclusive access to the victim's cards and used them for personal purchases without permission.
Subpoenas sent to multiple companies, including Merrick Bank, Continental Finance, Seen Finance and Web Bank/Imagine Visa, showed McVay used the victim's account to pay off her own credit card bills, clear newly opened credit lines and transfer funds to herself.
"We do believe she had additional contact with veterans in our community and that’s why we are working to get the word out about not only her arrest and how she broke the trust of a veteran in our community, but unfortunately, our detectives do believe there may be additional victims so we are really encouraging if someone had dealings with MS. McVay in the past and feels like something isn’t right, please give the Sarasota police department a call," said Judge.
In July, McVay brought a notary to the Manatee County jail, so the victim would sign a power of attorney agreement to hire a legal representative. Police confirmed the attorney was never retained, yet McVay reimbursed herself for retainer fees using Zelle.
On July 6, $50,000 was moved from the victim's certificate of deposit into her checking account. McVay then transferred $17,000 to herself via Zelle and withdrew $16,000 from local ATMs in Palmetto while the victim remained in jail.
Upon her release on Aug. 13, the victim met McVay to retrieve her belongings. McVay claimed she paid $100,000 to witnesses so they would not appear in court. Bank records received on Aug. 15 exposed the widespread unauthorized activity.
False legal promises
What we don't know:
Detectives have not confirmed whether McVay targeted other individuals in her professional role. However, police suspect additional victims may exist who have not yet come forward.
Multiple felony counts
What's next:
Palmetto police officers arrested McVay on Sept. 23. She faces charges of grand theft of $20,000 or more, criminal use of personal identification, unauthorized use of a credit card, scheme to defraud to obtain property and communications fraud.
"There’s still paperwork coming back as far as subpoenas and bank records and different information and the detective spoke with me this morning, and he expects that total to go up, unfortunately," said Judge.
Sarasota Police Detective Ridge Collins is asking anyone who believes they were victimized by McVay or has relevant details to call 941-263-6076.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon from a Sarasota Police Department probable cause affidavit and an interview with Sarasota Police Department's Public Information Officer Genevieve Judge.