Plastic surgery practice sues former employees for allegedly embezzling $32K

GRETNA – A local plastic surgery practice and spa are suing two former employees they claim misused their positions to steal more than $32,000 through a variety of schemes.

Aesthetic Surgical Associates LLC, Dolce Bellissimo LLC and Stephen E. Metzinger M.D. filed suit against Norma Mahler and Tiffany Roberts Schacherl in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 20.

The plaintiffs claim Aesthetic Surgical Associates is a cosmetic surgery practice located at 3223 8th St., Suite 200 in Metairie that is managed and operated by Metzinger and that part of the location is operated as a spa under the control of Dolce Bellissimo.

Mahler was allegedly employed as an aesthetician and Schacherl was employed as business manager for both Aesthetic Surgical Associates and Dolce Bellissimo during which time both were authorized to use the company credit card and write checks for business expenses. However, the plaintiffs contend that shortly before the defendants resigned from their positions on Jan. 12 they hired a bookkeeper who discovered they had been using the company credit card and writing company checks for personal use as well as providing customers with a “cash special” in which they pocketed cash paid for procedures. The defendants purportedly took at least $32,000 over the course of their employment and spent it in a variety of ways including making purchases from an online sex shop, vacations, setting up their own business which they operated on the premises during business hours and secret weekend sessions with clients.

The defendants are accused of breach of fiduciary duties, fraud, conversion, civil theft, unjust enrichment and violating of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Damages in excess of $20,000 plus attorney’s fees are sought by the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs are represented by Magdalen Blessey Bickford of New Orleans-based Jackson Lewis PC.

The case has been assigned to Division H Judge Glenn B. Ansardi.

Case no. 746-950.