Former New York CU Employee Allegedly Involved in ID Theft Ring

A former employee of the $5.5 billion Broadview Federal Credit Union (formerly SEFCU) in Albany, N.Y., was arrested for her alleged involvement in a identify theft ring that stole $100,000, according to police investigators.

The employee, Caeshara J. Cannon, 34, of Watervliet, was charged with four felonies. The charges included grand larceny, identity theft, possession of forged instrument, and falsifying business records, the Bethlehem Police Department said in a prepared statement on Friday.

Three other individuals were also arrested and charged.

The suspects were allegedly going to Broadview branches and using fraudulent documents to steal money from accounts and open loans using other people’s identities.

An investigation was launched when BPD officers responded to check a person at a Broadview branch in Slingerlands who was attempting to withdraw $20,000 from an account using fake ID. Officers arrested the suspect and his accomplice.

Bethlehem police detectives, with the assistance of SEFCU Fraud Prevention, identified additional suspects, including Cannon who worked at the Glenmont branch, which is more than six miles west of the Slingerlands branch in the Albany metro area.

During one of the warrant executions to arrest the suspects, an illegal handgun was recovered, police said. They did not identify the handgun’s owner.

“Broadview FCU’s dedicated team of financial crime professionals identified the fraudulent activity occurring at one of our branches and immediately began working with law enforcement to address the issue. The recent fraud was very limited and has been contained. It is not impacting existing member accounts,” Broadview said in a prepared statement. “While the fraud committed against our organization was just a small part of this ring’s criminal activity, Broadview is pleased to play a large role in stopping it. Maintaining the safety and security of our employees, members, and their assets is our top priority. We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement to ensure this situation is resolved swiftly and justice is served. Out of respect for their ongoing activities, Broadview will not comment further at this time.”

Cannon’s job title was not revealed by police or the credit union.

In the Town of Bethlehem court, Cannon was arraigned on her felony charges. Also arraigned on grand larceny, ID theft and falsifying business records felonies and other charges were Davon T. Parsons, 19, of Albany, Evan E. Cutler, 23, of Menands, and Dnauticah Taylor-Sherman, 20, also of Menands.

They are scheduled to make a second court appearance on Nov. 15.

“This is an on-going investigation and at this point there is approximately $100,000 in theft related to these individuals,” the Bethlehem Police Department said in a prepared statement.

The NCUA lists the formerly named SEFCU as Broadview FCU. The name change occurred on Aug. 1, after SEFCU legally merged with CAP COM FCU. Although both credit unions are currently operating under their original brand name and as a division of Broadview FCU, the name change for both organizations is expected to become official once the integration process is completed over several months.