Competency Evaluation Ordered for Former CU Manager Accused of Embezzlement
Patty Mavrakis allegedly sets fire to a branch vault to conceal a theft of more than $340,000.
A federal judge ordered a former Pennsylvania credit union branch manager to undergo an evaluation to determine whether she is competent to plead guilty or stand trial for allegedly setting a fire in a vault to cover up her embezzlement.
Patty Lynn Mavrakis of Belle Vernon, Pa., pleaded not guilty in September 2021 in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh to felony charges of embezzlement from a credit union, wire fraud and the use of fire to commit a federal felony. Although she was expected to change her plea during a scheduled court hearing on Jan. 26, it was canceled.
The day before that hearing, her lawyer, Daniel J. Cuddy in Pittsburgh, asked Federal Judge Marilyn J. Horan to have Mavrakis evaluated based on her statements and “the nature of discussions” Cuddy had with his client in preparing for the change of plea hearing.
Judge Horan granted Cuddy’s request last week.
Mavrakis, who was a branch manager for the $100 million Valley 1st Community Federal Credit Union in Monessen, allegedly started a fire in the safe on Sept. 6, 2016 and falsely claimed to her supervisor that an electrical wire on the safe’s alarm sparked a fire, which destroyed the funds, according to federal prosecutors.
The next day, Mavrakis filed an initial claim with CUNA Mutual Group, and later completed and faxed a proof of loss form, signed by her and notarized, that the fire caused a loss of $340,200.
CUNA Mutual Group paid the insurance claim for the funds allegedly stolen by the former branch manager and for the property damage that resulted from the fire.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
Prosecutors alleged in court documents that she used the credit union’s funds to pay for personal expenses.