Former Florida Public Defender Staffer Accused of Stealing Nearly $65,000 From Jailed Woman’s Bank Accounts
A Florida public defender’s office staffer is accused of stealing nearly $65,000 from a woman who trusted her to handle finances while she was in jail.
Sarasota police say Jessica Elizabeth McVay, 48, of Palmetto, was arrested on September 23rd after investigators reviewed a probable cause affidavit detailing alleged misuse of the victim’s bank accounts and credit cards.
McVay worked as a Veterans Affairs coordinator for the Public Defender’s Office in Florida’s 12th Judicial Circuit. Police say she knew the victim through that role.
According to the affidavit, the victim was held in the Manatee County Jail and asked McVay to help manage her affairs. The victim told detectives McVay was the only person with access to her cards and did not have permission to use them for personal expenses.
Police allege McVay used the accounts between November 2025 and July 2026, with an estimated loss of about $65,000. Records allegedly showed payments toward credit cards in McVay’s name and other purchases
In July, McVay allegedly moved about $50,000 from the victim’s account into her checking account. McVay allegedly sent herself about $17,000 through 12 Zelle transactions and withdrew another $16,000 from ATMs in the Palmetto area while the victim remained jailed.
The affidavit also says the victim signed power-of-attorney paperwork while incarcerated, believing McVay would handle her legal affairs. Investigators say that the document did not authorize using the victim’s money for personal gain. They also say McVay never hired a public attorney to represent the victim and instead used the Zelle transfers to pay herself.
McVay faces felony charges including grand theft, criminal use of personal identification information, unauthorized use of a credit card, scheme to defraud and communications fraud. An arrest is only an accusation, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
McVay’s arraignment is set for October 30th.
Sarasota police is urging the public to get in touch if they have been a victim of McVay’s scheme and have asked anyone with information to contact authorities.
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