Two Former Utah CU CEOs Indicted for Embezzment

SALT LAKE CITY – In separate cases, the former presidents of two Utah credit unions have been accused of embezzling money from their former employers. Linda Carson, former president of Grantsville FCU, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 8. She was accused of taking almost $131,780 from October 2004-April 2005. According to the newswire, her indictment alleged that Carson created fictitious loan and credit union accounts, transferred credit union funds to her personal credit union account and accounts of family members and friends. The indictment also said Carson approved a loan and loan increases without proper authorization. Douglas Gurr, former president of Chevron West CU, was also indicted the same day on allegations of taking nearly $167,553 between 1996-2004. The indictment alleged he added unearned overtime to his paychecks, deposited proceeds from credit union investments to his and family members’ personal accounts, obtained unauthorized reimbursements for personal expenditures, and deposited a fraudulent dividend check in his personal account. According to the newswire, Carson and Gurr are both charged with embezzlement by a credit union officer or employee, which is punishable by a maximum 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.