Disney World Valet Arrested for Allegedly Embezzling Guest's Funds by Writing Checks to Himself

A third-party valet attendant at a Disney World resort was taken into custody after investigators reported he used a guests stolen checkbook to cash nearly one thousand three hundred dollars in fraudulent checks.

According to an arrest affidavit from the Orange County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a burglary complaint at Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village, on Wednesday, December 3. A visitor from Ohio told officers she discovered four unauthorized checks had been issued from her bank account and that her checkbook was missing from her vehicle.

The guest explained that she had arrived at the resort on November 29 and used valet parking. On December 3, her bank notified her of several withdrawals. Screenshots provided by the bank showed four checks written for amounts reaching six hundred seventy dollars, totaling one thousand two hundred forty eight dollars.

While reviewing the screenshots, the victim noticed the checks were written to Mason Henrichsen, a name she did not recognize. Deputies used the states DAVID database to retrieve Henrichsens information and compared his drivers license signature to those on the checks, determining they were consistent. The valet manager confirmed Henrichsen was employed at the property and was scheduled for a shift later that day.

When Henrichsen arrived at work, officers read him his Miranda rights and detained him. According to the affidavit, he stated he found a check on the ground in the parking area and decided to make it payable to himself. He later acknowledged depositing the check at an ATM at a Chase branch located near Disney Springs.

The affidavit notes that the case has been forwarded to the Economic Crimes unit for continued investigation. Court records indicate Henrichsen faces two felony charges, including grand theft by fraud and check forgery, with an initial hearing held on December 4.

A Disney representative informed News 6 that the valet attendant was employed by an outside contractor rather than the company. The valet service provider did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Author: Jackson Miller