Former CU Manager Describes Her Alleged Embezzlement as 'Like Stupid Funny'

When former credit union operations manager Angela Domingo was questioned by federal investigators about stealing $250,000 in cash, she laughed.

“When the $250,000 was referenced again, after laughing she responded, ‘I know it’s not funny. I’m sorry, it’s like stupid funny,’” wrote a federal investigator in a criminal complaint that was filed in Hawaii federal court last month.

Domingo, who was recently appointed a federal defense lawyer, did not respond to a CU Times‘ request for comment on behalf of his client.

In November 2017 a senior internal auditor for the $306 million CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union in Hilo contacted the U.S. Secret Service to report a large cash discrepancy at the Hilo branch following a surprise cash audit.

That audit was conducted immediately after an employee allegedly witnessed Domingo stuff cash from the vault into her pocket on Oct. 31, 2017, James Takamine, president/CEO of CU Hawaii, said.

Domingo was initially placed on administrative leave and was later fired based on what the audit uncovered.

The last surprise cash audit conducted at the branch was in March 2014 when Domingo was assistant operations manager, investigators said.

The credit union determined $637,000 in cash was missing from the branch. Although Domingo denied she stole that much money, she admitted to taking small amounts of $4,000 to $8,000 from the vault and teller drawers and deposited the cash in the accounts of her husband, daughter, a niece and nephew. She lost track of how many times she did this.

According to the interview with investigators, Domingo said she did not feel appreciated at the credit union and was not paid enough for the amount of work she was expected to do. Even though she knew her theft was wrong, Domingo said stealing cash became an addiction, and that it was so easy and no one knew about it.

“She stated that after working at the branch for several years she realized they were going to let her take control and she knew she could get away with it,” an investigator wrote in the criminal complaint.

In addition to using some of the credit union money to pay for a family trip to Florida, as well as “unnecessary items,” Domingo bought her co-workers lunches, Halloween costumes and a round of drinks after work, according to investigators.

“All of our credit union’s member accounts remain secure, untouched and insured by the National Credit Union Administration,” Takamine said. “The credit union continues to enhance its internal controls and to implement best practices to prevent criminal wrongdoing.”

Domingo appeared in court June 30 but she did not enter a plea. Based on the criminal complaint, she is expected to be charged with embezzlement, according to court documents.

She was released on an unsecured $50,000 bond.