A cannabis dispensary in Pasco, Washington, has been rocked by allegations of significant internal theft. Ashley Avila, a 30-year-old office manager at The Pacific Outpost, is accused of embezzling approximately $770,000 from the business. According to Pasco police and court documents, the funds were allegedly used for gambling and luxury purchases, including high-end Prada handbags.
The investigation began after law enforcement was alerted last week to possible financial irregularities at the dispensary, one of two cannabis retail locations that opened in Pasco in the past year. Detectives allege that Avila misappropriated company funds in two primary ways: through the unauthorized use of a company credit card and by diverting cash deposits that were meant for the bank.
Court documents reveal that she allegedly charged about $181,000 on the company credit card. A portion of these funds was reportedly spent at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino in Pendleton, Oregon. Additionally, she is accused of taking approximately $589,000 in cash that should have been deposited into the business’s bank account.
When authorities arrested Avila at her home, they reportedly found multiple pieces of evidence linking her to the theft. This included several Prada purses, casino receipts from Wildhorse, and a significant amount of cash. Despite being confronted with mounting evidence, Avila only admitted to taking around $5,000 on the credit card and $18,000 in cash, according to police reports.
Avila is currently being held at the Franklin County Jail on charges of first-degree theft and money laundering. Her bail has been set at $25,000. Given her family ties in Mexico, police expressed concern that she could potentially flee the country if released. As a precaution, Judge Jackie Shea Brown ordered that Avila be fitted with a GPS ankle monitor should she post bail.
The case has sent shockwaves through the local cannabis community and raised questions about internal controls and oversight in an industry still finding its regulatory footing. The Pacific Outpost has not released an official statement on the matter but is believed to be cooperating with investigators.
As legal cannabis continues to grow as a business sector, cases like this underscore the importance of robust financial monitoring and employee vetting to protect company assets and maintain public trust.
