A former employee of Michigan First Credit Union recently entered a guilty plea to embezzlement charges that were filed against her in December. Reportedly, Michigan First Credit Union investigated irregularities reported by the family of a 92-year-old client of the bank. During a meeting with her employers, the 52-year-old teller admitted to stealing funds from a vulnerable adult. She worked for the bank for 13 years, but her employment was terminated after she confessed to committing white collar crimes.
Apparently, the case first came to the attention of the state Department of Insurance and Financial Services during 2018. Following an examination, DIFS referred the embezzlement of $24,000 to the office of the Attorney General. The elderly woman was in the hospital at the time that the now former teller withdrew the funds from her account.
Restitution of $20,000 was made prior to entry of the guilty plea. The $4,000 balance was paid at the time of her plea. Thee plea was to one count of embezzlement of an amount between $1,000 and $20,000 from a vulnerable adult, a felony with a prison term of up to five years.
Anyone in Michigan who faces accusations of white collar crimes has the right to legal counsel. A criminal defense attorney who has experience in dealing with white collar crimes allegations can explain the available defense options regarding the formal accusations. In this case, her counsel will likely seek leniency at sentencing based upon the fact that the woman has made restitution and had a 13-year career at the bank.