Woman stole $516K from company

PORT CLINTON — An Oak Harbor woman currently serving prison time for stealing more than half a million dollars while working at a local travel agency is now being sued by a Pittsburgh-based insurance company in federal court.

National Union Fire Insurance Co., of Pittsburgh, filed suit on Oct. 8 against Michelle Ireland, 55, of the 400 block of N. Benton Road, who formerly worked as a travel agent at the AAA Port Clinton location.

Ireland pocketed close to $516,000 in cash payments from AAA customers "for her own personal benefit," according to civil and criminal court records.

The insurer is trying to recover about $466,000 in funds it claims Ireland still owes. She paid about $50,000 already as restitution in an Ottawa County criminal court case.

In that criminal case, a judge sentenced Ireland to two years in prison after she previously pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated theft, a third-degree felony, according to court records.

Other counts — including one count of money laundering, a third-degree felony; and one count of possessing criminal tools and forgery, both fifth-degree felonies — were dismissed.

Background

Ireland’s felony charges stem from her work as a travel agent at AAA’s Port Clinton office, according to the civil complaint filed by the insurance company.

The thefts started in 2019 and continued until AAA discovered the illegal activity in 2023, documents state.

In an effort to conceal the theft, Ireland used payments made by other customers to fund the travel and vacation expenses of those she stole from in a “Ponzi scheme-like manner,” the civil complaint states.

In addition to using payments from other customers, Ireland also “issued unauthorized and unapproved AAA gift certificates” and used them to fund the travel and vacation expenses of those she stole from.

On May 12, 2023, AAA discovered Ireland’s theft and reported her to law enforcement.

As a result of Ireland’s scheme, AAA was required to reimburse all customers who paid for travel and expenses but did not receive what they paid for due to her theft, the complaint states.

The insurance company agreed to insure AAA for “losses due to employee dishonesty.”

What's next

According to state prison records, Ireland is serving her sentence at the Northeast Pre-Release Center in Cleveland. Her prison term is set to expire Feb. 11, 2027.

In the civil case, Ireland requested additional time to respond to the insurer's complaint, which a federal judge granted. Her answer to the complaint is due by Dec. 1.