Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A Lancaster woman admits to stealing nearly $2 million from the medical practice she worked for as a bookkeeper.
54 year old Bonnie Bova pleaded guilty in Erie County Court Wednesday to one count of Grand Larceny in the First Degree (Class “B” felony) and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (Class “E” felony). The defendant entered a guilty plea to the highest sustainable charges.
Over a seven year period, prosecutors say Bova stole $1,830,779.56 while working as a bookkeeper for a medical practice in the Town of Amherst. Bova issued checks from the medical practice to herself, and concealed the theft by modifying computer records to indicate that the payments were made to a legitimate vendor. Prosecutors add Bova used the stolen money to pay her credit card bills and other personal expenses.
In October 2024, Bova was fired from her position after a company employee noticed an issue with a check and conducted an internal audit, which uncovered the theft.
Bova also pleaded guilty for failure to disclose the stolen money as additional income on her personal income taxes between 2019 and 2023.
As a condition of the plea, Bova signed a Confession of Judgment to pay full restitution to the victim. Today, her defense attorney submitted a check to pay back $600,000. Bova also signed a Confession of Judgment to pay an additional $97,561 in restitution to the New Yok State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Bova faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when she is sentenced on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. While prosecutors requested Bova be remanded pending sentence, she was released on her own recognizance.
“This case is the highest theft amount prosecuted by this office in recent years. The defendant funneled money from her employer into her own bank account, stealing more than $1.8 million dollars to fund her out of control spending habits. In addition to paying back a portion of restitution, I am pleased to announce that she pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge, which carries a mandatory state prison sentence,” said Erie County DA Mike Keane.