NEW YORK-Barbara Renor Jasper worked for the United Nations FCU for 13 years, said Debra Innocent, the CU's vice president of marketing, so it was with surprise and much disappointment that she had to be abruptly terminated. Jasper, age 48, was the branch manager of the credit union's office in the Secretariat building, also referred to as the UN Building, which is a New York City landmark. She was arrested on May 19 at the CUs headquarters and later charged by the FBI with taking cash from the CU's automated teller machine. An FBI spokesman said that a criminal complaint stated that on at least 11 occasions between last July and May 15, Jasper had taken cash for her own use from the machine. Innocent acknowledged that differences in cash balances at the ATM led to an internal investigation. When the differences could not be accounted for, an outside audit was conducted and law enforcement authorities were notified. "We terminated her as a result of ATM differences and because of a failure to adhere to operational control procedures and a failure to report those differences," said Innocent. The full scope of damage done may have to await the completion of a full investigation, however. The federal complaint charges Jasper with embezzling $35,000, but states that over a three-year period a "total of $500,00 was underreported." Innocent told Credit Union Times that a forensic investigation is presently underway and no other information would become available until it is concluded. "It's an unfortunate situation. She has been a long-term employee, and the credit union as a whole has been affected. But at this point all I can say is that the investigation is ongoing.We were pleased, however, that the issue was discovered and an investigation was undertaken. This will allow us to understand exactly how it happened and institute further preventive measures. The bottom line is, procedures weren't followed; when that happens, it leads to risk," said Innocent. No member money was involved in the alleged crime, Innocent assured. Appearing before a federal magistrate, Jasper, a native of Trinidad and a U.S. citizen was released on bail. -
caburger@cutimes.com
