Woman charged with embezzling $144,000 from her employer

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- A local woman has been charged with embezzling thousands of dollars from her work.

Police say Veronica Hairston used a corporate account from Dial Cordy & Associates of Jacksonville Beach to embezzle $144,000.

Investigators say she used the account for personal purchases and to make travel arrangements for non-employees.

Hairston told police she was just trying to take care of her kids.