The NCUA issued eight prohibition notices to criminals during the month of July, including Sean Jelen, former CEO of Valor FCU in Scranton, Pa., which has made national headlines. These people are prohibited from participating in the affairs of any federally insured financial institution.
Jelen, 33, embezzled $718,000 to pay for credit card bills, college tuition, his spouse's birthday party and a golf tournament sponsorship from the $231 million credit union. In addition to a fraud charge, he was also charged with attempted fraud for creating a forged severance contract before he was fired by the board of directors in August 2015 for another $1.1 million.
In addition, Jacqueline Ray, a former employee of Ochsner Clinic Federal Credit Union in New Orleans, consented to the issuance of a prohibition order and agreed to comply with all of its terms to settle and resolve the NCUA board's claims against her. The 30-year president/CEO of the failed Louisiana credit union, created fake loans and coded those accounts so no statements would be generated, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in New Orleans to stealing more than $1 million.
Gail Teague, a former employee of Ochsner Clinic FCU and sister of Ray, pleaded guilty to the charge of theft. Teague was sentenced to three years' probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $34,000.
Other prohibition orders were issued for:
- Roxana Almonte, a former employee of Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., pleaded guilty to the charge of computer trespass. Almonte was sentenced to four months in county jail, five years' probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $37,984.67.
- Paula Awe, a former employee of Lakeside Federal Credit Union in Hammond, Ind., consented to the issuance of a prohibition order and agreed to comply with all of its terms to settle and resolve the NCUA Board's claims against her.
- Lorie Kristine Bentler, a former employee of M.H.I. Credit Union in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, pleaded guilty to the charge of financial institution fraud. Bentler was sentenced to 30 months in prison, five years' supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $249,250.51.
- Susan Garza, a former employee of Electrical Workers No. 527 Federal Credit Union in Texas City, Texas, consented to the issuance of a prohibition order and agreed to comply with all of its terms to settle and resolve the NCUA Board's claims against her.
- Dara N. Salmieri, a former employee of Alliance Credit Union in Fenton, Mo., pleaded guilty to the charge of theft. Salmieri was sentenced to three years' probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,001.
Violation of a prohibition order is a felony offense punishable by imprisonment and a fine of up to $1 million.
Prohibition and administrative orders are available at http://go.usa.gov/gFP5.
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