TAMPA, FL – Victoria Zerillo, 49, of Riverview, Florida, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 18 months for systematically stealing from the very people she was supposed to serve. U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber handed down the sentence yesterday, alongside an order of forfeiture totaling $410,963.78 – the full amount of the ill-gotten gains Zerillo raked in through her brazen scheme.
Zerillo, formerly the general manager of a non-profit providing essential repair services to a senior citizen residential community, didn’t just mismanage funds; she orchestrated a calculated, years-long embezzlement. From December 2015 through November 2022, she and accomplices falsified bank statements and scrubbed records to cover their tracks, diverting over $400,000 into their own pockets. The non-profit, intended to maintain the living standards of vulnerable seniors, became a personal piggy bank.
The details revealed a lifestyle funded by stolen security. Zerillo didn’t squirrel the money away; she splashed it on luxury vacations and personal expenses, all while the seniors she defrauded struggled to make ends meet. The courtroom was reportedly filled with members of the community who testified to the direct financial harm Zerillo’s actions inflicted upon them – a gut punch delivered directly to those who trusted her.
Zerillo pleaded guilty on August 18, 2023, likely hoping for leniency. It wasn’t enough to avoid a significant prison term. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, meticulously piecing together the fraudulent scheme. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and ensuring Zerillo is held accountable for her betrayal.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of seniors to financial exploitation. Authorities are urging anyone experiencing or witnessing elder fraud to come forward. The National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11) provides critical support and resources for victims and those who suspect abuse.
The hotline, managed by the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime, offers personalized assistance, reporting guidance, and connections to relevant agencies. Reporting is crucial – it not only helps bring perpetrators like Zerillo to justice but also increases the chances of recovering stolen funds. The hotline is available Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, with services offered in English, Spanish, and other languages. Don’t let these predators win; report suspected fraud immediately.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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