The NCUA has banned three former credit union employees, two of whom stole money from their financial institution, from ever participating in the affairs of a financial institution insured by the federal government.
Melissa Barajas, a former public relations coordinator of the San Antonio FCU in San Antonio, Texas, was convicted of embezzlement. She was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and five years of supervised probation, and ordered to pay restitution of $56,423.
Donna Gonzalez, a former manager of Saint John Vianney FCU in Houston (which has since merged with San Antonio FCU) pleaded guilty to embezzling $56,826.36.
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According to the website of the Fox Television affiliate in Houston, she "embezzled funds from dormant accounts by issuing official checks made payable to Bank of America, without authorization, which were negotiated against funds in the dormant customer accounts before depositing the fraudulent checks into her personal bank account.''
She was sentenced to 15 months in prison and three years supervised probation, and ordered to repay the money.
Cheryl J. Watson, a former assistant bookkeeper at Southern CU in Chattanooga, Tenn., consented to a prohibition order and agreed to comply with all of its terms to settle and resolve the NCUA's claims against her. The agency didn't disclose the nature or amount of its claims.
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