ROHNERT PARK, Calif.–A former employee of Patelco Credit Union now faces up to a 33-month prison sentence for embezzling more than $250,000 by making unauthorized withdrawals from member accounts.
Allison Bushart was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg following her guilty plea on Dec. 20, 2016, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Brian J. Stretch’s office.
Bushart, who worked at the Rohnert Park branch of Patelco Credit Union from 2003 to early 2015, admitted in her plea agreement that she began taking cash withdrawals from numerous members’ accounts without their knowledge no later than 2010, according to the statement.
Bushart said she filled out withdrawal slips for specific amounts related to individual accounts and then forged the member’s. Bushart took the cash home at the end of the day or deposited the money in her own account or a relative’s account, the Press Democrat reported. At least 10 member accounts were involved, including some who were legally vulnerable due to their age and mental condition,
Bushart also admitted that she never declared as income on federal tax returns any of the funds she embezzled. Her failure to report income of $105,000 in 2014 resulted in a tax loss of $24,469 to the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Attorney said.
In addition to her prison term, Bushart was ordered to serve three years of supervised release. A court hearing was set for May 2 to determine the amount of restitution Bushart will pay.