BATAVIA, Ohio — A 31-year-old Milford woman faces more than 30 years in prison if convicted on all counts after a grand jury indicted her for allegedly stealing over $150,000 from a local childcare center through an elaborate fraud scheme.
Alexandria Alexus Frank was charged Feb. 10 by a Clermont County grand jury with 13 counts of identity fraud, one count of telecommunications fraud and one count of grand theft. Prosecutors allege the thefts began in late 2023 while Frank worked at the center. She reportedly created fictitious employees by using real individuals’ identities, added them to payroll systems and directed paychecks into her own accounts. She also used former employees’ information to generate payments to herself and forged more than 50 checks intended for the business.
Authorities say Frank maintained multiple bank accounts to obscure the transactions. The scheme went undetected until a new treasurer assumed duties and identified irregularities in financial records. The childcare center suffered severe financial strain, coming close to bankruptcy before the discrepancies surfaced.
Milford police conducted the initial investigation, which led to the grand jury action. No trial date has been set. The case highlights vulnerabilities in small-business payroll oversight, particularly in organizations handling public funds or donations.
