BLUEFIELD, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A former Econo Lodge employee is facing embezzlement charges after allegedly pocketing thousands of dollars in guest payments through deceptive transactions, according to Bluefield Police.
On June 6, 2024, Patrolman T.M. Beggs took a fraud complaint at the Bluefield City Police Department from hotel owner Prathik Valsaraj. Valsaraj reported that employee Lakiesha Nelson had manipulated payment records at the Econo Lodge to steal approximately $5,500.
According to the complaint, Nelson would collect cash from hotel guests but use other guests’ credit cards to balance the books. In some cases, she allegedly instructed guests to send payments directly to her personal Cash App account, identified as $Kushababy94, without logging their stays in the system. One example included a guest who paid $510 for a week-long stay, which was allegedly taken entirely by Nelson while another guest’s credit card was charged to cover the record.
Nelson is also accused of renting rooms to friends and family without payment, and taking a $200 change fund from the hotel on her final day of work. Management confronted her and had her sign a “last chance” warning, but further evidence led to the decision to pursue charges.
Tia Chambers, a friend of Nelson’s, confirmed to police that she briefly helped Nelson at the hotel in exchange for part of her paycheck. Chambers said she distanced herself once she discovered the alleged theft.
Authorities were also provided with booking records showing duplicate charges to a Visa card ending in 9003 and a photo of a $50 Cash App transaction as part of the investigation.
Nelson has been charged with embezzlement.
