A Cuban national working at a hospital in Hialeah was taken into custody on Wednesday, accused of misusing a corporate credit card to make personal purchases totaling roughly $24,000 over several years.
Hialeah Police officers arrested 39-year-old José Miguel Penenori outside Larkin Community Hospital, where he was employed as an air conditioning repair technician.
Penenori faces three felony charges: organized fraud exceeding $20,000—a second-degree felony in Florida that could result in up to 15 years in prison; second-degree grand theft; and fraudulent use of a credit card exceeding $100, according to the arrest report.
The investigation kicked off on May 1 when the hospital's vice president of support services alerted the police after suspecting Penenori of misappropriating company funds via a Home Depot corporate credit card issued by the hospital.
Authorities scrutinized the card's statements, receipts, invoices, and other documents, alongside surveillance videos, determining that over several years, Penenori used the credit card to buy personal items, mingling them with legitimate purchases for the hospital.
The personal items he allegedly bought included household goods, gift cards, and a barbecue grill.
Authorities concluded that Penenori "engaged in a continuous pattern of unauthorized purchases using company funds for personal gain," with illegal transactions amounting to approximately $24,000. Penenori was one of three hospital employees with access to the corporate credit card, as noted in the police report.
After being apprehended, Penenori provided a full confession to investigators, according to police records.
As of Thursday morning, he remained in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, pending the setting of bail. Larkin Hospital issued a no-trespass order to prevent his return to the premises upon release.
Penenori's case adds to a series of recent arrests of Cubans in Miami-Dade on fraud charges, according to county authorities.
Understanding the Fraud Case in Hialeah
What charges is José Miguel Penenori facing?
José Miguel Penenori is facing charges of organized fraud over $20,000, second-degree grand theft, and fraudulent use of a credit card exceeding $100.
How did authorities discover the misuse of funds?
The investigation began when the hospital’s vice president of support services noticed suspicious activities and contacted the police, leading to a review of credit card statements and surveillance footage.
What items did Penenori allegedly purchase with the credit card?
Penenori is accused of purchasing household items, gift cards, and a barbecue grill for personal use.