Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Meagan Marie Schonefeld, 40, is facing a grand theft charge after authorities say she used her employer’s information to obtain a loan that left the business with a $978 balance.
According to two witnesses who spoke with a Gainesville Police Department officer, Schonefeld worked at The Releaf Clinic. The witnesses said they discovered the alleged loan after applying for financing through the clinic’s point-of-sale provider. Their application was rejected because the company already had an outstanding loan—one reportedly opened under Schonefeld’s name and that of Releaf Clinic.
The witnesses told police Schonefeld did not have permission to seek financing on the clinic’s behalf. They said the loan was not repaid, leaving the business responsible for $978. The point-of-sale provider reportedly indicated that the account was established using a Gmail address unrelated to the clinic’s official business email. The witnesses also said Schonefeld resigned after they began looking into the loan.
Investigators determined that the loan proceeds were deposited into a bank account held in Schonefeld’s name. The witnesses and The Releaf Clinic reportedly have no access to that account.
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Schonefeld was charged with grand theft. Her record includes three nonviolent felony convictions, one of them for grand theft involving more than $10,000, as well as one nonviolent misdemeanor conviction. Authorities also noted an unspecified criminal history in Missouri and Texas. Judge Adam Lee set bail at $80,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
