Louren Velez, a former teller at the $5.7 billion Suncoast FCU in Tampa, Fla., was sentenced to three years in federal prison June 20 for her role in a check scheme. Velez conspired with two Suncoast members who cashed fake federal income tax refund checks of more than $350,000, according to U.S. District Attorney's office in Tampa.
Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich also ordered Velez to pay restitution of $351,431 and forfeit a 2010 Honda that she purchased with the stolen funds.
Velez pleaded guilty in February to conspiring to defraud the IRS and to steal government funds, and for aggravated identity theft.
Former members Beverly McFadden and Larry Walker worked with Velez to cash 47 fraudulently-obtained federal income tax refund checks. They used their Suncoast FCU accounts to cash the funds, according to court documents.
McFadden and Walker each pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the conspiracy earlier this year. McFadden was sentenced to six years and seven months in prison. Walker was sentenced to time served, followed by three years of supervised release, federal prosecutors said.
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Peter Strozniak
Credit Union Times reporter covering credit union operations, fraud, M&As, leagues, business continuity, and breaking news.
