A Laguna Beach woman authorities say embezzled $1.5 million from local small businesses while acting as their accountant could go to prison for up to 23 years after pleading guilty to fraud last month, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Lizzie Mulder
(Laguna Beach Police Dept.)

One small business owner says she grew suspicious about Lizzie Mulder's actions after she received notice of an unpaid workers' compensation bill.

A few weeks later, she said she received a call from Mulder's husband, who suspected his wife was stealing. 

"She went after friends and family, people that trusted her, people who wouldn't question her credentials," said the business owner, Lauren Scaccia of Toni & Guy Salon in Newport Beach.

Mulder's clients included people she had known for years. Laguna Beach detective Jordan Mirakian said Mulder "became ingrained in their lives … through charisma and gaining their trust." 

"It’s one thing to steal from people, but it’s another thing to steal from them when you’re having a glass of wine with them over Thanksgiving dinner,” he said.

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