An Arkansas resident is facing allegations of retaining almost $20,000 mistakenly deposited by her employer, and reportedly refusing to return the funds.
Rene Nichole Coleman, aged 50, has been charged with felony theft after a payroll error resulted in her receiving $1,650 per hour for a 12-hour shift at Superior Senior Care, an in-home care service located in Jonesboro, just north of Memphis.
Typically, Coleman earned $16.50 per hour, but a payroll mishap dramatically inflated her earnings.
On May 10, 2025, an unexpected sum of $19,388 was credited to her bank account, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit acquired by USA Today in August 2025.
When the company discovered the error, they requested the return of the money, but Coleman allegedly declined to comply.
As a result, Superior Senior Care filed a theft report with the Jonesboro police concerning the payroll error.
Coleman was formally charged by Craighead County District Judge David Boling on April 6 with theft involving more than $5,000 but less than $25,000, a Class C felony in Arkansas.
The company also backed up its claim with financial records and emails.
According to police, Coleman told her employer she had already spent the money fixing her husband’s semi-truck.
Investigators say she did not provide further details about where the money went.
A detective later contacted Coleman by phone, and she agreed to come in and talk about the situation.
She never showed up, according to the affidavit.
Police then issued a warrant for her arrest on a felony theft charge tied to the missing money.
Coleman was not immediately taken into custody after the warrant was issued. She was finally arrested on April 6, but on a separate outstanding warrant, police told TV station KAIT.
After her arrest, Coleman agreed to speak with officers without a lawyer present.
Police say she admitted she “didn’t pay attention and spent money.” She also claimed she later tried to offer to repay her former employer.
Coleman’s bond has been set at $15,000. She is scheduled to appear in court on May 18.
As of April 10, state records did not show her in custody.
The case will now play out in court.
