Manatee dental practice manager receives 15-year sentence for fraud.

Key Information

• Defendant: Tiffany Denyse Young, 54, St. Petersburg
• Charges: Fraud charges including scheming to defraud, fraudulent use of personal identification, and obtaining codeine by fraud
• Sentence: 15 years in prison and 15 years probation
• Prosecutor: Ed Brodsky, State Attorney for the 12th District
• Employment History: Former office manager at two Manatee County dental offices
• Time Frame of Crimes: 2020 to 2023
• Recommended Action for Employers: Vet potential employees thoroughly

A Manatee County judge recently imposed the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on Tiffany Denyse Young, a former dental office manager, for allegedly defrauding patients and the practices she worked for. This case has prompted authorities to urge employers to properly vet prospective employees.

Young, 54, pleaded no contest to multiple fraud-related charges, which included scheming to defraud less than $20,000; fraudulent use of personal identification for 10 or more victims; and obtaining codeine by fraud, according to prosecutors. The prosecution was led by Ed Brodsky, the state’s attorney for the 12th district, which covers Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. A no contest plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts the penalty without going to trial.

The fraudulent activities performed by Young took place between 2020 and 2023 while she worked as an office manager at two separate dental offices in Manatee County. Authorities state she exploited her position to embezzle tens of thousands of dollars in various schemes. For instance, she had patients leave the “pay to” section of checks blank, which she filled in with her name before depositing them into her own account. Prosecutors noted she also manipulated amounts on some checks to maximize her payout. In other instances, she charged patients smaller amounts on their credit or debit cards, pocketing the difference while manipulating accounting software to hide her thefts. Additionally, Young utilized a doctor’s DEA registration number to write prescriptions for controlled substances intended for her personal use.

Young had previously provided false information on employment applications and had a history of similar offenses, having served time in prison before. According to prosecutors, she managed to secure her jobs by using an altered middle name and Social Security number.

“We advise all employers to conduct thorough vetting of prospective employees who will manage finances,” stated Assistant State Attorney Justin Foster. “We are pleased the victim businesses, their doctors, and patients will be safeguarded from this defendant for the next 30 years.”

In addition to 15 years in prison, Young received a 15-year probation sentence. The prison term represents the maximum penalty possible for her offenses. The fraudulent use of personal identification, involving 10 or more victims, mandates a minimum of three years in prison, according to officials.

This story was updated to reflect that Young did not admit to the charges but pled no contest.