Posted By: Tom Hustler

Thu Nov 9, 6:13 PM ET

The Palm Beach County Tourism and Convention Bureau's board of directors said they are outraged after learning an employee of the bureau was embezzling money under her boss's noses.
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Police said that instead of paying taxes and balancing the bureau's books, Donna Duffer embezzled $1.5 million over the span of three years to fuel an online gambling addiction.

Investigators said that when the bank first alerted the bureau of fraudulent checks last week, it was thought Duffer had taken only $100,000.

When confronted, Duffer confessed to taking over $1 million in bed tax money and $400,000 in local businesses memberships dues. The IRS also reported that Duffer owed the government $700,000 in taxes.

Bed tax money comes from tourists who pay it to hotels, and the money is supposed to be used to help market the county.

The Bureau's board of directors is now trying to figure out why CEO Mac McLaughlin decided to go on a planned marketing trip to London while allegations were being uncovered.

The directors said they were outraged and they wanted to know why the McLaughlin did not suspect what was going on.

Duffer is currently residing at her home in Royal Palm Beach while West Palm Beach police investigate.

She was fired shortly after her confession, and according to her attorney Sue Foreman, she will likely face felony charges.

Foreman told WPBF Duffer spent most of the money on her gambling addiction, except for buying a few items for the house such as curtains.

She said Duffer never suspected her addiction would go so wildly out of control.

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