Former bookkeeper admits to stealing more than $1.8M from Amherst medical practice
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A former bookkeeper has pleaded guilty to charges in connection to stealing more than $1.8 million from an Amherst medical practice between 2017 and 2024, the Erie County District Attorney's Office said Wednesday.
Bonnie Bova, 54 and of Lancaster, stole a total of $1,830,779.56 by issuing checks from the medical practice, Highgate Medical Group, to herself and concealed the thefts by modifying computer records to indicate that the payments were legitimate.
She used the money to pay credit card bills and other personal expenses. Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane says the biggest expenses by Bova included trips to Disney, retail stores, and Doordash.
"It wasn't like she had some legitimate medical expenses excuse or explanation, she didn't have a gambling problem, this was just living beyond your means," Keane said.
She also pleaded guilty to charges related to failing to disclose the stolen money as additional income on her taxes between 2019 and 2023.
Bova was fired from her bookkeeping job in October 2024 after another employee noticed an issue with a check and conducted an internal audit, which uncovered the theft. The medical practice said in a statement Wednesday that no patient information or medical records were compromised and they have taken steps to "strengthen financial oversight with additional systems and processes."
"We are deeply disappointed that this employee, who we held to such high esteem working so closely together for over 20 years, would violate the trust that was placed in her," Highgate said. "Nonetheless, the state of our practice has never been stronger. We will continue to lead Primary Care in Western New York through innovation and keeping our patients first."
On Wednesday, Bova pleaded guilty to first-degree grand larceny and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. As part of the plea, she agreed to pay full restitution. She paid back $600,000 on Wednesday. She also agreed to pay back an additional $97,561 to the state tax department.
Keane said Bova sold her mother's house in order to come up with the restitution.
Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case capped her sentence at 3 to 9 years in prison when she is sentenced on Jan. 5, 2026. She was released on her own recognizance after prosecutors requested she be held.
Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.