The police have laid fraud charges against a woman who reportedly stole over $580,000 from her employer.

The woman who was employed as a secretary at a law firm in Spanish Town, St Catherine, was picked up last Wednesday.

She was criminally charged by the police last Thursday.

Police reports are that the secretary would normally collect money from clients on behalf of her employer but reportedly failed to turn over the money.

An internal investigation was launched and the accused was observed stealing money. A client allegedly paid over a sum of marked bills to her and she was seen placing the money in her drawer.

She eventually left work and was subsequently held by police investigators with $55,000 in marked bills.

Investigations reveal that her illegal activities reportedly started in April 2010.

The police said the accused is charged with embezzlement.

She is booked to appear in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court today.

- R.T.