A Dunedin attorney and certified public accountant has been indicted on six federal wire fraud counts for allegedly stealing more than $894,000 from a Palm Harbor client.

Melissia K. Gauthreaux, 56, was charged by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced May 5. Prosecutors allege she embezzled $894,274.26 from the client's accounts while providing accounting services. The government is seeking forfeiture of the full amount.

Each of the six counts carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

Florida Bar Seeks to Suspend Gauthreaux's Law License

The Florida Bar filed a petition asking the Florida Supreme Court to suspend Gauthreaux's law license while the criminal case proceeds, according to an Aug. 4 report from ALABnews. The Bar argues the federal charges reflect on her fitness to practice law.

As of Aug. 1, the Florida Supreme Court had not yet ruled on the petition. Gauthreaux did not appear in the Bar's most recent published disciplinary actions, meaning the suspension request remains pending.

The case has not gone to trial.

Details on the Alleged Theft Remain Limited

WTSP reported the charges stem from Gauthreaux's role providing bookkeeping services to the Palm Harbor client. The name of the client and the specific time frame of the alleged theft were not disclosed in the federal announcement.

An indictment is a formal charge, not a conviction. Gauthreaux is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. No defense attorney for Gauthreaux was identified in public records reviewed for this report.

How Affected Residents Can Report Information

Residents who believe they may have been affected can contact the FBI's Tampa field office or the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, which covers Pinellas County.