Naples woman arrested, accused of $8.5K breast surgery check fraud

A Naples nurse was arrested on grand theft and fraud charges after she was accused of using checks from closed accounts to pay for an $8,500 breast augmentation surgery, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

The arrest report says Nicole Valliere reportedly attempted to pay for the procedure at Peña Plastic Surgery, located off Pine Ridge Road and Napa Boulevard near I-75, in February using a check from a closed bank account.

Investigators said Valliere tried again in March with a cashier’s check from another closed account, but the bank notified the business too late to stop the transaction.

According to investigators, Valliere left the office after her surgery, reportedly claiming her father would return with the money.

Nicholas Fredette, a Naples resident, called the situation bizarre and said, “That is a lot of money. Yeah. No, that's very unfortunate.”

Fredette also commented, “And you say they can't take the boobs back?”

He added, “Don’t do it! If you don’t have money for it, don’t do it.”

On Tuesday, deputies arrested Valliere outside Advanced Medical, off Goodlette-Frank Road and 7th Avenue North, where she works as a nurse.

The owners of Peña Plastic Surgery told investigators they had made several attempts to collect payment. Despite losing thousands of dollars, they said their family owned business is doing OK.

Fredette expressed sympathy for the business, saying, “I feel bad for the business, family owned business.”

Valliere is now out on bond.