A 43-year-old Espanola woman is looking at serious charges after a local business was defrauded of nearly $161,000. Charges were laid after the owner audited his business and found records were falsified to hide illegal activity. The accused is a former employee of the business and charges include falsification of books and documents with fraudulent intent. She’s also charged with breach of trust as well as charges of fraud and theft over $5,000. Part of the investigation showed that more than $35,000 was stolen from the business.