Community Corner
Bank Supervisor Sentenced for Stealing from Seniors' CD Accounts
While employed as a teller supervisor, the Farmington resident apparently preyed upon senior citizens made unauthorized withdrawals from CD
A bank teller supervisor from Farmington was sentenced to a year and a day in jail for stealing money from senior citizens' CD accounts at the bank where she worked.
According to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly, Michelle Laudato, 36, of Farmington, was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford. In addition to the prison time, Laudato also was sentenced to three years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service that will specifically benefit the elderly. She also must repay the pilfered $178,710.89 to Webster Bank which employed her at its Bristol branch.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2009 and June 2010, Laudato used her position to steal from the CD accounts of at least 18 bank customers. Thirteen of the 18 bank customers were between the ages of 79 and 99, according to Daly.
As part of the scheme, Laudato sometimes withdrew funds from certain CD accounts to replace funds in the CD accounts she had previously accessed. She also withdrew funds in increments of $10,000 or less to avoid currency transaction reporting requirements.
On June 18, 2013, Laudato pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.
Laudato, who recently gave birth to a child, was ordered to report to prison on Feb. 25, 2015.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Felice M. Duffy.
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