Local woman sentenced for embezzling funds from dental office

HOUSTON - A 45-year-old Hockley resident has been sentenced for her role in a scheme to steal more than $200,000 from her employer, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Jennifer Lynn Thornton pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud July 20, 2023.

Senior U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt has now ordered Thornton to serve 41 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. She was also assessed 10 $100 special assessments. Restitution will be determined at a later date. In imposing the sentence, the court noted "I don't believe you have proper respect for authority. The harm you caused to the victims was very personal."

Thornton had been a financial coordinator in a dental office in Houston. The dentist had been in business for 38 years. In July 2021, he began a detailed review of his company accounts to prepare for retirement. At that time, he discovered Thornton had been stealing from him.

She had created a shell company called SGS Healthcare and had payments intended for the dental practice diverted there. Insurance companies made checks payable to the dental practice which she then deposited into her own accounts.

She also manipulated the company books to allow her to take cash she had received from patients. The victim hired a private auditor who identified $243,597 in losses.

Thornton was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation along with the Harris County Sheriff's Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman prosecuted the case.