Frank Ruiz, one of the persons involved in business loan kickback scheme with William Liddle, convicted criminal and former AEA Federal Credit Union lending officer, is scheduled to start his two-year prison sentence this week.

Ruiz turned himself into the Federal Bureau of Prisons June 29, according to several local media reports. He will serve his sentence at a maximum security prison in Florence, Colo.

Ruiz pled guilty to several counts including conspiracy and money laundering for his role in defrauding the $245 million AEA in Yuma, Ariz. Ruiz testified against Liddle.

Liddle, the credit union's former business lending vice president, was found guilty of 54 counts of fraud that led to the near collapse of AEA, was recently sentenced to prison for 15 years.

His wife, Rhonda, was sentenced to 12 months of home incarceration and five years of supervised release. She is currently appealing her conviction.

In June, the Liddles agreed to pay more than $25.3 million in restitution. Ruiz will pay $6.3 million.

While Liddle is currently in custody, it has not been determined where he will serve his sentence.

Meanwhile, AEA is working on getting back on track since being placed in conservatorship by the NCUA in December 2010. The regulator said the credit union's first quarter's financials included improvements in net worth and loan quality.

Instant Insights /

AEA FCU Loan Kickback Co-Conspirator Begins Prison Sentence

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