BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County District Attorney's Office announced that 54-year-old Bonnie Bova of Lancaster pleaded guilty in Erie County Court to one count of first-degree grand larceny and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.
According to the DA, between September 22, 2017, and October 18, 2024, Bova stole $1,830,779.56 while working as a bookkeeper for a medical practice in the Town of Amherst. Bova issued checks from the medical practice to herself and concealed the theft by modifying computer records. The DA said Bova used the stolen money to pay her credit card bills and other personal expenses.
Bova was fired from her position in October 2024 after a company employee noticed an issue with a check and conducted an internal audit, which uncovered the theft.
She also pleaded guilty to failing to disclose the stolen money as additional income on her personal income taxes between 2019 and 2023.
According to the DA, as a condition of the plea, Bova signed a Confession of Judgment to pay full restitution to the victim. On Wednesday, her defense attorney submitted a check to pay back $600,000. She also signed a Confession of Judgment to pay an additional $97,561 in restitution to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
“This case is the highest theft amount prosecuted by this office in recent years. The defendant funneled money from her employer into her own bank account, stealing more than $1.8 million dollars to fund her out of control spending habits. In addition to paying back a portion of restitution, I am pleased to announce that she pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge, which carries a mandatory state prison sentence."
Bova is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5 and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.
Prosecutors requested that Bova be remanded pending sentence, she was released on her own recognizance.
The DA's office has confirmed that Highgate Medical is the practice. Highgate released the following statement:
“For over 75 years, Highgate Medical Group has been a primary care pioneer in Western New York. The practice is led by Dr. David Pawlowski, Dr. Michael Dlugosz and Dr. Stacey Gugino.
Upon discovery of the theft through our internal financial controls, we removed the employee from our practice and immediately reported the matter to law enforcement. Since then, we have fully cooperated with the investigation and continue to do so. Highgate is represented by Former Erie County District Attorney and Lippes Mathias Partner John Flynn in our participation in the criminal investigation.
This was a financial crime only – one that took place over the course of more than ten years. No patient information or medical records were ever compromised. We have taken steps to strengthen financial oversight with additional systems and processes.
We are deeply disappointed that this employee, who we held to such high esteem working so closely together for over 20 years, would violate the trust that was placed in her. Nonetheless, the state of our practice has never been stronger. We will continue to lead Primary Care in Western New York through innovation and keeping our patients first. Our commitment to transparency and the highest standards of care for our patients is cardinal. We remain focused on our mission to continue to provide exceptional healthcare to our community.”
