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The former executive director of TLC PetSnip has been accused of defrauding the nonprofit spay-and-neuter clinic of more than $3,300 — using its business credit card for personal purchases and donating $750 to her children’s school.
Emily Lorenzano, 38, of Lakeland, is charged with grand theft between $750 and $5,000 and scheming to defraud, both felonies.
‘Difficult chapter’
TLC PetSnip announced the arrest in a social media post Saturday, calling it an important update about a “difficult chapter in our organization’s history.”
Lorenzano, who denies the allegations, was the highest-paid employee of TLC PetSnip, earning $72,730 a year. She was part of a mass exodus in May 2023 when more than 20 staff members, four veterinarians and all of the organization’s board members quit abruptly, alleging mismanagement.
At the time, TLC PetSnip was more than $300,000 in debt and behind on its bills.
The clinic canceled surgeries and shuttered for several months. It later reopened with a new board, including Polk County Bully Project cofounders Shannon Medina and Angela Lorio as president and vice president.
“When the new Board of Directors stepped in during 2023, it was clear that something wasn’t right. Records were inconsistent, debts were overwhelming, and the future of the clinic was at risk,” the post said.
“With the help of independent auditors, a new executive director, detectives at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office, the truth has finally come to light after an almost two-year investigation.”
Most commenters expressed shock, anger and support for the organization.
No charges for missing cash
The post blamed Lorenzano for stealing nearly $100,000 from the clinic. However, she was not charged with that.
Court records say a forensic audit uncovered more than $90,000 in missing cash deposits. A subpoena for Lorenzano’s personal bank account revealed several cash deposits totaling about $40,000 made within a day or two of deposits for TLC PetSnip.
But investigators said there wasn’t enough evidence to charge her, as “there appear to be several individuals who handled the cash each day prior to [it] being turned over to Lorenzano.”
Lorenzano was charged with using TLC PetSnip’s credit card to buy $2,197 in personal items from Amazon and $382 from Walmart. She also made an unauthorized $750 donation to Winston Academy, according to the criminal complaint.
A new clinic
After leaving TLC PetSnip, Lorenzano worked for the Humane Society of Polk County, helping revive its low-cost spaying and neutering program. She later cofounded the nonprofit Paws Plus Veterinary Clinic with Jill Wallace, owner of the Das Hund Haus dog boarding, grooming and daycare facility.
Veterinary surgeon G. Robert Weedon, who followed Lorenzano from TLC PetSnip to Paws Plus, said he has known her for more than six years and strongly supports her. He called the charges a “smear campaign” and said he believes she will be exonerated.
Day in court
Lorenzano, a mother of three, said she couldn’t say much about the case on her attorney’s advice, but she is eager to have her day in court.
“That’s all I want, is just for the facts to come out,” Lorenzano said. “My side hasn’t been said yet.”
TLC PetSnip founder Terry Sandlak did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
Lorenzano was arrested on Aug. 27 and released the following day on $10,000 bond. The case is tentatively set for a status hearing on Oct. 24 and a pretrial conference Dec. 2.
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