LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — A furniture manufacturer based in Laguna Beach has reportedly been the victim of a significant financial fraud scheme allegedly carried out by its former Controller/CFO, Rebecca Buehler.

The business owner, who police did not identify, reported that Buehler stole more than $300,000 from the company over a span of two years. Buehler was hired in 2018 after responding to a job posting. 

“These expenditures were made by diverting funds from the company’s business account to support her personal desires,” police said.

Buehler has been charged by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office with seven felony counts of grand theft, including an enhancement for theft exceeding $100,000.

The victim, who had built the business over two decades, decided to close the company in 2024 due to declining sales and losses, police said. However, when the owner attempted to close the company’s bank account, he discovered a substantial discrepancy in the account balance. This led to an investigation that uncovered the theft. 

According to the Laguna Beach police department's Instagram account, a forensic examination of the victim’s financial records determined that Buehler had used the company’s funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including purchasing luxury handbags, alcohol, and even a luxury SUV. 

The Laguna Beach Police Department, upon receiving the report, began investigating the case. As part of the investigation, various techniques were employed to trace the flow of funds, uncovering the full scope of the theft. As a result, an arrest warrant was obtained for Buehler, and Laguna Beach Police Department detectives located her in Redondo Beach, California. She was taken into custody and booked at Orange County Jail. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has filed seven felony counts of Grand Theft against Rebecca Buehler, including an enhancement for theft exceeding $100,000. As of now, the total amount stolen exceeds $300,000.