Duval County man booked in St. Johns county jail on charges of grand theft and defraud

A Duval County man was arrested Wednesday night by officers from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office on suspicion that he embezzled more than $500,000 from a Ponte Vedra Beach business.

Detective Kevin Greene with the Sheriff's Office started an investigation two months ago when the owners of a Ponte Vedra Beach accounting firm discovered that an employee, Gerald Brewer, allegedly embezzled more than half a million dollars between May and October of this year, according to a release from the Sheriff's Office.

Brewer, 41, was hired as an accountant to perform payroll and accounting duties for the international company.

In the initial investigation, authorities said they discovered that Brewer allegedly added himself to the company payroll, where he was paying himself a salary, reimbursement expenses and bonus checks.

The investigation also revealed that Brewer allegedly removed more than $530,000 from the company during that time.

A warrant for Brewer's arrest was issued on Nov. 10. Brewer refused to cooperate with the investigation and was aware of the warrant, the Sheriff's Office said.

Brewer was booked into the St. Johns County jail Wednesday on charges of grand theft of more than $100,000 and organized scheme to defraud. As of Thursday afternoon, Brewer was still in jail in lieu of bonds of $500,000.