Credit Union Operations Manager Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

A former credit union operations manager, who told federal investigators that her embezzlement was “like stupid funny,” agreed to plead guilty last week to stealing more than $328,000 from the $340 million CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union in Hilo.

In addition to pleading guilty to one felony count of embezzlement in federal court, the plea agreement requires Angela Domingo to pay restitution.

She admitted to taking small amounts of $4,000 to $8,000 from the vault and teller drawers for more than three years and deposited the cash in the accounts of her husband, daughter, a niece and a nephew. She lost track of how many times she did this, according to court documents.

Initially, when questioned about whether she stole the funds, Domingo said, “I know it’s not funny. I’m sorry, it’s like stupid funny,” according to federal investigators.

In November 2017 a senior internal auditor for CU Hawaii  contacted the federal authorities 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.

In an interview with federal investigators, 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.

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

Domingo’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for May.