SCRANTON, Penn.– An arrest warrant was issued by a federal judge for a former credit union CEO who didn’t show up for a court appearance at which he was to be sentenced.
Authorities said Sean Jelen, the former CEO of the now-defunct Valor Credit Union who was fired by the credit union for drunk driving, who later refused to turn in his company car, and who was later charged with bank fraud, including creating fictitious members of the CU’s board, was absent at the sentencing hearing that had already been postponed after he fired his attorney. Sentencing in the case has been pending in federal court for approximately 18 months.
According to authorities, Jelen missed the sentencing hearing after going to an emergency room in New York City on the night prior to the hearing.
With the exact reason for his absence unknown, Judge Malachy Mannion decided to issue an arrest warrant. The judge said Jelen’s “credibility is significantly tarnished through this case.”
Jelen had earlier admitted to stealing more than $700,000 for his own personal use, using the funds to throw his wife a birthday party, pay off his graduate school and even buy a grandfather clock.
Jelen pleaded guilty back in July 2016.
“When you look at this case there's manipulation after manipulation after manipulation after manipulation in all senses,” said Judge Mannion.
Authorities said that as a result of the arrest warrant, whenever Jelen leaves the hospital he is expected to be taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in New York State.
Based on the charges that Jelen pleaded guilty to the maximum penalty he faces is 60 years in prison and a $2-million fine.
Additional coverage on the case can be found here.