Antioch floor company bookkeeper charged with stealing $6 million for herself and her Daly City church

"Prosecutors have charged Karin Tufono, whose name is also listed as Karin Tufono Fa'apouli, with wire fraud, alleging she initiated at least $6 million in fraudulent transfers from her employer, Republic Floor, to accounts she controlled. These included Tufono's personal bank account and the bank account of the Samoan Congregational Church of Jesus Christ in Daly City, where she served as treasurer, according to the charging documents."

"Though prosecutors have listed the at least $6 million estimate in their court filings, Republic Floors put the number even higher, at $7.036 million. A lawsuit filed by the company last year alleges that Tufono embezzled the money, and distributed it to herself and four others including a relative who serves as a pastor at the church to cover up her crime. It says she later admitted embezzlement to both her employer and later the FBI, including during a recorded confession with an FBI agent."

"The lawsuit, which lists Tufono, the church, and Chase Bank as defendants, is still active. A lawyer for the church responded with a nine-page court filing saying allegations that the church did anything wrong are without reasonable cause. In criminal court, Tufono has yet to enter a plea. The charging records say the fraud scheme started in 2022 and lasted until her employer discovered it and fired her in August 2024."

Karin Tufono, also listed as Karin Tufono Fa'apouli, worked as a bookkeeper for Republic Floor and treasurer for the Samoan Congregational Church of Jesus Christ in Daly City. Prosecutors have charged her with wire fraud after she allegedly initiated at least $6 million in fraudulent transfers from Republic Floor to accounts she controlled, including her personal account and the church's account. Republic Floor estimates the loss at $7.036 million. A lawsuit by Republic Floor alleges embezzlement, distribution of funds to herself and four others including a relative pastor, and cites a recorded confession to the FBI. The lawsuit names Tufono, the church, and Chase Bank; the church denies wrongdoing. Records say the scheme ran from 2022 until discovery and her firing in August 2024, with payments falsely recorded as vendor payments or to U.S. Customs.

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