Riverview Woman Sentenced For Embezzling $400,000 From Senior Citizens

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Victoria Zerillo (49, Riverview) to 18 months’ imprisonment for wire fraud in connection with her embezzlement of funds from a senior citizen residential community. As part of the sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $410,963.78, the proceeds of the wire fraud. Zerillo entered a guilty plea on August 18, 2023.

According to court documents, Zerillo was employed as a general manager of a non-profit that provided HVAC, appliance, and plumbing repair services to members of a senior citizen residential community. From December 2015 through November 2022, Zerillo and others conspired to commit wire fraud and embezzled more than $400,000 from the non-profit by creating false and fraudulent bank statements and destroying records. Zerillo spent the money on personal expenses, including luxury vacations. At sentencing, members of the senior citizen community testified that Zerillo’s embezzlement significantly harmed them financially.  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with inappropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.