Polk County, FL – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Jennifer Garula-Mers, former CEO of The East Polk County Association of Realtors (EPCAR), in connection with alleged grand theft totaling more than $81,000.
Garula-Mers, 53, of Spring Hill, Florida, was taken into custody on Thursday, November 20, 2025, by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and is being held without bond pending her first appearance. She was terminated from EPCAR in August 2024.
According to investigators, Garula-Mers engaged in unauthorized raises, bonuses, and non-business expenses shortly after being hired in 2020. Her initial salary of $80,000 was increased multiple times without authorization, ultimately reaching $99,472. Records also show additional unauthorized payroll checks, improper reimbursements, and personal use of the EPCAR credit card totaling several thousand dollars.
Sheriff Grady Judd commented, “Our investigation found that she made unauthorized raises and bonuses to herself, and non-business credit card charges that began within a few months after she was hired. Jennifer Garula-Mers is a thief and stole tens of thousands of dollars from the association. I urge all nonprofit associations to have effective checks and balances in place.”
The total financial loss to EPCAR is estimated at $81,453.92. Garula-Mers will be charged with Grand Theft, $20,000–$100,000, a felony of the second degree, and will be transported to Polk County for formal processing.
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