21-049 Detectives Arrest Local Insurance Company Employee for Scheme to Defraud

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Economic Crimes Unit

Avid Insurance Company (Victim)
Address: 1480 Beltrees Street, Dunedin

Jayme Collman (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 8/4/1980
Charge: One Count of Scheme to Defraud, Greater than $50,000

PINELLAS COUNTY – On April 28, 2021, detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit arrested 40-year-old Jayme Collman for one count of Scheme to Defraud, Greater than $50,000.

According to detectives, in March 2018, Collman was hired by the Avid insurance company located at 1480 Beltrees Street in Dunedin as an office manager. Her assigned duties included handling employee payroll. Due to financial hardships experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. While the company gathered documents to complete their loan paperwork, they noticed discrepancies with the payroll numbers. Suspecting a theft had occurred, they notified the sheriff’s office.

Detectives began their investigation in January 2021 and soon discovered more than $50,000 was stolen from the company. Through various investigative techniques, Collman was identified as the suspect.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2021, Collman was interviewed at the North District Station located at 2496 Bayshore Boulevard where she admitted to the allegations. During the interview, Collman admitted to issuing herself extra paychecks beginning in January of 2019. She confirmed to detectives this activity grew more frequent as time went on and later transitioned to her modifying her salary.

Detectives arrested Collman at the North District Station and she was transported to Pinellas County Jail. She has been charged with one count of Scheme to Defraud, Greater than $50,000; a first degree felony.

The investigation continues.