A former dental manager, who had a long criminal record for similar offenses, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for allegedly defrauding two Florida dental practices where she worked, according to the Office of the State Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit in Florida.
Additionally, Tiffany Denyse Young -- who previously entered a no-contest plea in May to multiple counts of scheme to defraud, fraudulent use of personal identification information, uttering counterfeit instruments, and obtaining codeine by fraud -- was sentenced to 15 years of probation following her prison term, according to a press release dated September 8 from the state attorney. By pleading no contest, a defendant doesn’t admit guilt but accepts the punishment to avoid a trial.
Tiffany Denyse Young.Office of the Florida State Attorney, 12th Judicial Circuit.
Young, 54, of St. Petersburg, FL, reportedly committed the crimes while working as an office manager at one dental practice between December 2020 and July 2022 and while employed at another between July 2022 and February 2023.
Young allegedly used her position to defraud the practices out of tens of thousands of dollars by having patients leave the “Pay to” section of their checks blank. Young then allegedly filled in that part of the check with her own name before depositing the funds into her personal bank account. In multiple instances, Young purportedly increased the dollar amounts on the checks before depositing them into her bank account, according to the press release.
Also, Young reportedly altered patients’ credit card and debit card payments for smaller amounts before pocketing the difference. She then allegedly manipulated the accounting software to hide the thefts.
Finally, Young allegedly used one dentist’s U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency registration number to prescribe herself controlled substances, according to the press release.
Young has served time for a host of similar offenses in the past. She was able to be hired at these dental practices because she allegedly provided false identifying information and an altered middle name and U.S. Social Security number on her employment applications.
“We encourage all employers to thoroughly and carefully vet any prospective employees who will be handling finances for your companies,” Assistant State Attorney Justin Foster said in the press release. “We are pleased that the victim businesses, their doctors, and patients will be protected from this defendant for the next 30 years.”
