Former Leesburg Center for the Arts executive director charged with grand theft

The executive director of the Leesburg Art Festival Inc. also known as the Leesburg Center for the Arts has been arrested on a charge of grand theft.

An investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office began when board members of the Leesburg Art Festival reported they suspected their executive director, 44-year-old Maria Stefanovic of Leesburg, had stolen funds totaling $4,123.74 during 2021 and 2022. When confronted by new board members Stefanovic, gave the board a list of 19 transactions which benefited herself and the company she owns, Water Gypsy Coffee Company. She tendered a cashiers check from her company to the Leesburg Center for the Arts in the amount of $2,370.94 on Oct.17, 2022. Stefanovic resigned her position in October. 

A Lake County detective subpoenaed bank records and along with other documents was able to determine a pattern of misuse of the Center’s credit card by Stefanovic. An audit of the documents revealed 34 transactions whereby Stefanovic used the credit card to benefit herself or her business. In several instances she bought items on Amazon where the sole method of payment was her employer’s credit card and then returned the items in exchange for gift cards in her own name. She also used the employer’s credit card to order Instacart delivery of grocery items to her home and business.

The detective obtained an arrest warrant for grand theft and the Massachusetts native was taken into custody at her home on Palmetto Street.

She was transported to the Lake County Jail where she posted $2,000 bond.