A Palmetto woman has been sentenced to nearly a year in jail and 30 years of probation after admitting to stealing more than $200,000 in refrigerant products from her employer to support a gambling addiction.
Carol Ann Bergeron, 55, pleaded no contest on October 7 to a first-degree felony charge of scheme to defraud $50,000 or more. Circuit Judge D. Ryan Felix sentenced her to 364 days in the Manatee County Jail, followed by 30 years of probation, and ordered her to pay $203,915 in restitution.
Bergeron worked as an administrative assistant and sales representative for American Refrigerants Inc., a Manatee County business. According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, she stole more than 1,000 cylinders of refrigerant over approximately one year.
Investigators determined that Bergeron manipulated the company’s accounting software by altering previous customer invoices to include products the customers had never purchased. She then allegedly sold the stolen refrigerant cylinders through Facebook Marketplace and kept the proceeds.
The thefts came to light in April 2025 when the business owner discovered discrepancies while reviewing financial records. After initially denying wrongdoing, Bergeron admitted to taking the products and selling them to finance her gambling addiction, according to investigators.
The owner terminated her employment and later determined that approximately $213,000 in inventory was missing. Detectives contacted customers whose invoices had been altered and confirmed they had neither ordered nor received the additional products.
Following her termination, Bergeron reportedly sent multiple messages apologizing and offering to obtain loans to repay the losses. Her attorney also attempted to negotiate repayment with the business owner, who declined and chose to pursue criminal charges.
In addition to incarceration, probation and restitution, Bergeron’s sentence includes restrictions intended to prevent similar offenses. She is prohibited from gambling, handling other people’s money or working in the refrigeration industry. She must also attend at least one Gamblers Anonymous meeting each week.
The case highlights the financial damage employee theft can cause to local businesses and the importance of internal accounting controls in identifying fraudulent transactions.