Phoenix – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Special Agents with his office arrested a Glendale woman accused of stealing from a non-profit cancer support charity. A grand jury indicted 42-year-old Melissa Talal on 1 count of theft and 2 counts of fraudulent schemes and artifices.
In September 2006, Talal began working as a finance coordinator for Cancer Support Community Arizona (CSCAZ) formerly known as The Wellness Community Arizona, a non-profit organization that provides support to individuals diagnosed with cancer and their families. It is alleged Talal had exclusive access to CSCAZ financial and bookkeeping records. From March 10, 2007 to March 30, 2011, Talal allegedly took out a CSCAZ credit card and used the organization’s credit card to make more than $150,000 in unauthorized personal purchases for items such as concert tickets, clothing, and electronics.
CSCAZ began to notice errors and delays in reports and financial records and after a forensic investigation they contacted the Attorney General’s Office. In addition, Talal is also accused of manipulating CSCAZ payroll to inflate her paychecks, allegedly paying herself more than $40,000 that she was not entitled to.
On October 29, 2015, a judge issued a warrant for Talal’s arrest. She is currently being held on a $25,000 bond.
All suspects are presumed innocent until found guilty.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Scott Blake.
For additional information, members of the media may contact Mia Garcia, Spokesperson & Director of Media Relations at 602-339-5895 or [email protected].
- Copy of Melissa Talal's Indictment