Payroll error turned into a $19,400 Surprise…See more
A payroll error in May 2025 resulted in a 50-year-old caregiver named Rene Nichole Coleman from Jonesboro, Arkansas, receiving $19,388 for a single 12-hour shift after her hourly wage was mistakenly set to $1,650 per hour instead of her normal $16.50 per hour.
What Happened
- The Error: A data entry or system glitch (missing a decimal point) multiplied her hourly pay rate by 100.
- The Refusal: When her employer realized the mistake and asked for the funds back, Coleman refused to return the money, allegedly stating it was her “come up” and reporting that some of it had been spent on truck repairs for her husband.
- The Arrest and Charges: After she failed to meet with investigators, an arrest warrant was issued. In April 2026, Coleman was arrested and charged with Class C felony theft of property (for taking an amount between $5,000 and $25,000 under Arkansas law)
