Doches’ internal auditor detected Snodgrass’ embezzlement.

In April 2023, the auditor requested a sample of loans from the Hemphill branch after noticing a loan approved by the former branch manager was missing required paperwork and involved unusual transactions.

Snodgrass did not comply with the auditor’s request, prompting a deeper investigation into other loans issued by her. As the audit expanded, she continued to ignore additional documentation requests.

By June, Snodgrass admitted to Doches employees that she created fraudulent loans for personal gain.

According to court filings, she created phony loans using credit union members’ names and personal information, refinanced loans without their consent, misappropriated loan payments and conducted unauthorized transactions in members’ accounts. Prosecutors did not say how many members were affected by the embezzlement.

The credit union’s losses included $176,500 in fictitious loans, $70,993 in fraudulent refinanced loans, $27,419 in unauthorized transactions and $6,185 in misappropriated payments.

In her sentencing memo to Judge Crone, Snodgrass accepted responsibility for her crime and expressed remorse.

“The investigation and arrest have cost Haley her job, her reputation and caused a great deal of pain for her family. Nonetheless she has received a lot of support and forgiveness from the people who know and love her,” Snodgrass’ attorney, Raegan L. Minaldi, wrote in the sentencing memo of Judge Crone. “While each of these letters contains the type of positive notes this Court expects, they also detail the remorse of a woman who has had a positive effect on the lives of others and made a series of decisions that will have indefinite consequences. Haley asks this Court to consider these letters on her behalf.”

Peter Strozniak can be reached at [email protected].