Pair charged in $300K fraud case

ENGLEWOOD — A Charlotte County couple has been charged in a fraud case where authorities allege the pair stole more than $300,000 from a real estate title company in south Sarasota County.

Kimberly Eckman, 44, of Port Charlotte and Dean Meier, 47, also of Port Charlotte, were charged in the case, according to a release from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. Eckman was being held in the Sarasota County Jail on $50,000 bond after being charged with one felony count of scheme to defraud. Meier failed to show up for police interviews, according to the release, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Detectives allege Eckman wrote at least 485 checks from May 2013 through April from two business accounts where she worked, Community Title and Escrow in Englewood. The checks total $307,418, and bank records show the checks were made to Meier, Eckman's boyfriend, the release states. Meier then chased the checks, authorities contend.

The owner of Community Title and Escrow discovered the alleged thefts and confronted Eckman, police say. Eckman, according to police, admitted she needed the money to support a drug addiction. The owner fired Eckman and reported the alleged thefts to police.