Cannabis shop manager embezzled $700K for Prada bags and casino trips, say police

A Pasco cannabis dispensary office manager is accused of embezzling about $770,000.

Ashley Avila, 30, was arrested on suspicion of stealing the money and using it to gamble at a casino and to buy Prada purses.

Pasco police said they were alerted last week that Avila was siphoning money from The Pacific Outpost, one of two cannabis dispensaries to open in Pasco last year.

She allegedly took $181,000 using a company credit card, using some of the money to go to the Wildhorse Resort and Casino in Pendleton, Ore., court documents said.

She also is accused of taking $589,000 in cash that were supposed to be deposited in the bank, court documents said.

When police arrested her at home, they found several Prada purses, cash and Wildhorse casino receipts, court documents said.

Detectives claim she admitted to taking about $5,000 on the credit card and $18,000 in cash.

It’s not clear how long she worked for the company.

Avila is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail at the Franklin County jail on investigation of first-degree theft and money laundering.

Police said Avila has family in Mexico and feared she might flee the country if released from jail.

Judge Jackie Shea Brown ordered her to wear a GPS ankle monitor if she is able to post bail.