Three Credit Union Staffers Charged With Identity Fraud

A deposits manager, head teller and branch services staffer have been indicted on multiple felony counts of identity fraud in connection with the theft of $85,000 from the $35.8 million Lanier Federal Credit Union in Oakwood, Ga.

Judy Carolyn Barfield, a former deposits manager at Lanier, was arrested by police Monday, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s office in Gainesville, Ga. The 67-year-old Flowery Branch, Ga., resident was indicted March 31 by a Hall County grand jury on eight counts of identity fraud.

Carolyn Burrier, a former branch services employee, was indicted on 17 felony counts of identity fraud and one felony count for the alleged theft of $85,000. Teresa Lynn Bruce, a former head teller at Lanier, was also indicted on nine counts of identity fraud, according to court documents.

The indictment charges that in 2016, the three employees used the checking accounts of at least two credit union members without their consent or knowledge. Court documents did not indicate how the alleged identity fraud was carried out or how it was connected to the $85,000 theft.

However, Lanier President/CEO Robin Simpson indicated someone at the credit union detected the fraud.

“Upon discovery, we immediately notified law enforcement and worked diligently throughout the investigation,” Simpson said when reached by CU Times Thursday. “Our credit union’s policy is to prosecute criminal activity to the fullest extent of the law, and for the sake of our members and our business, we will never waiver from this commitment.”

Simpson added, “We want our members to be confident in knowing that their account security is of utmost importance to us and therefore, our highest priority.”