Fort Lauderdale Woman Steals $230K from Law Firm, Police Say

Alleged Embezzler Was Already on Probation—Because Why Stop at One Felony?

In a bold criminal move that would make any Netflix drama proud, a Fort Lauderdale woman allegedly embezzled nearly a quarter of a million dollars from a local law firm—while already on probation for a prior fraud conviction. Apparently, some people really do live by the mantra “go big or go home.”

Crime on Probation? Bold Strategy.

According to Fort Lauderdale police, 32-year-old Amanda Sinishtaj managed to siphon around $230,000 from her employer, a prominent downtown law firm, through deceptive transactions over several months. Shockingly—or perhaps predictably—this wasn’t Sinishtaj’s first brush with fraud; she was still on probation for an earlier conviction involving similar financial shenanigans.

Detectives revealed Sinishtaj utilized her position handling firm finances to reroute funds into personal accounts, using them for luxuries like shopping sprees, vacations, and other questionable life choices.

A Red Flag Ignored?

One might wonder how a previously convicted fraudster landed a job handling sensitive financial transactions at a law firm. (Background checks, anyone?) Nevertheless, investigators confirmed Sinishtaj somehow passed the firm’s screening process, leaving them vulnerable to her financially adventurous exploits.

Local resident and self-proclaimed armchair detective Mark Donovan sarcastically noted, “Hiring someone with a fraud conviction to manage money seems…creative. Did they think it would make the office environment more thrilling?”

Legal Consequences Loom Large

Sinishtaj now faces multiple felony charges, including grand theft and fraud. Considering her probation status at the time of her arrest, authorities have indicated she could be looking at significant prison time.

Fort Lauderdale attorney and legal analyst Jackie Mendoza explained, “Embezzling $230,000 while already on probation demonstrates an astonishing disregard for consequences. It’s hard to imagine the court going easy on her this time.”

Fort Lauderdale Firms: Time for a Wake-Up Call

This incident highlights critical gaps in financial oversight and hiring practices for local businesses. Police and legal experts strongly recommend enhanced background checks and stricter financial controls—particularly for positions involving access to sensitive funds.

For additional details on local crime news, check out our FTL Review Crime section. Employers interested in strengthening background check protocols can visit resources provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.