Bank Official Charged with Embezzling Funds, False Entry in Bank Records

2013-04-26

A resident of Pittsburgh has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of bank embezzlement and false entry in bank records, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced Wednesday.

The two-count indictment named Diana Phillips, 39, of Pittsburgh as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Phillips was an assistant branch manager and head teller at First National Bank. Over a period of roughly three years, Phillips embezzled approximately $129,318.38 from the bank by processing fictitious general ledger transactions and making cash-in deposits into an account owned by a family member. The defendant then transferred money from the family member’s account into accounts controlled by her and/or her husband.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 60 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation