Cy-Fair business sues woman for supposed embezzlement

A Cy-Fair-area business is suing a Hockley woman over, they say, embezzled money.

Contractors Source filed suit in Harris County District Court on Nov. 18 against Maria A. Straten of 26814 Mottled Duck Lane in Hockley, saying that while Straten was a bookkeeper for the company she took $975,000 over three years and used the money to make expensive purchases.

According to the suit, Straten was hired as Contractors Source's main bookkeeper in July 2007 and immediately started embezzling money, which she used to purchase items including seven vehicles, a condo, a $60,000 kitchen renovation, vacations, furniture and clothing. The company also says Straten tried to cover up her theft by issuing dummy checks.

Contractors Source is seeking an immediate injunction and actual damages, as well as attorney's fees, punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, court costs and all other entitled damages.

Contractors Source is being represented in the case by the Houston lawyer Thomas L. Hunt.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2010-76446.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.