Arkansas Woman Accused of Keeping $19,388 Mistakenly Paid by Employer

Rene Nichole Coleman faces felony theft charge after refusing to return the overpayment

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:42am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled dollar bill or stack of cash, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the physical evidence at the center of a financial crime investigation.A harsh, gritty close-up of the physical evidence at the center of an alleged theft case exposes the stark realities of financial crime.Jonesboro Today

Rene Nichole Coleman, a 50-year-old Arkansas woman, is facing a felony theft charge after she allegedly refused to return nearly $20,000 that her employer, Superior Senior Care, mistakenly paid her. The company says a payroll glitch resulted in Coleman being paid $1,650 an hour instead of her normal $16.50 hourly rate, leading to the $19,388 overpayment.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges employers can face when payroll errors occur, and the potential legal consequences for employees who refuse to return mistaken overpayments. It also raises questions about financial responsibility and the obligations of workers when they receive money they were not entitled to.

The details

According to police, on May 10, 2025, Coleman received an additional $19,388 in her bank account due to the payroll error. When Superior Senior Care demanded the money back, Coleman allegedly refused, telling the employer she had already spent the money to fix her husband's semi-truck. Police say Coleman did not provide further details on where the money went.

  • On May 10, 2025, Coleman received the $19,388 overpayment in her bank account.
  • In August 2025, Superior Senior Care filed a theft report with Jonesboro police over the paycheck error.
  • On April 6, 2026, Coleman was formally charged by a Craighead County judge with felony theft.
  • On April 6, 2026, Coleman was arrested on a separate outstanding warrant, not the theft charge.
  • Coleman is scheduled to appear in court on May 18, 2026.

The players

Rene Nichole Coleman

A 50-year-old Arkansas woman who is accused of keeping nearly $20,000 that her employer, Superior Senior Care, mistakenly paid her.

Superior Senior Care

An in-home care company in Jonesboro, Arkansas that accidentally overpaid Coleman by $19,388 due to a payroll glitch.

Craighead County District Judge David Boling

The judge who formally charged Coleman with felony theft on April 6, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“She didn't pay attention and spent money.”

— Jonesboro police

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on May 18, 2026 whether to allow Coleman to be released on bond.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of financial responsibility and the legal obligations employees have when they receive money they were not entitled to. It also underscores the challenges employers face in recouping funds from payroll errors, and the potential criminal consequences for workers who refuse to return mistaken overpayments.