MINEOLA, N.Y.–The former chief operating officer at Winthrop-University Hospital Employees Credit Union has been arraigned in court on embezzlement charges that allege she stole more than $465,000 during her seven-year tenure.
Prosecutors said Suzanne Silva, 35, made $465,172 worth of unauthorized transfers from the Winthrop credit union’s operating accounts to personal accounts for herself and family members, according to Newsday. The money was allegedly used for Caribbean cruises, travel to Cancun, and thousands of dollars each month for Amazon and Etsy purchases, prosecutors said.
“As alleged in the indictment, Silva abused her authority as Chief Operating Officer and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the credit union, which she used to fund an extravagant lifestyle,” U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue said in a statement. “Today’s arrest demonstrates that this office will hold executives at financial institutions accountable for abrogating their duties and using their access to line their pockets.”
Silva was arrested on Wednesday; she was terminated by the credit union in June.
Silva faces a maximum 30 years’ imprisonment if convicted, according to prosecutors.
‘Greed Surfaces’
“Greed surfaces at all levels when criminals see a payday, and they think no one is watching,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney said in a statement. “In this investigation, someone noticed nearly half a million dollars was gone and now the COO faces criminal charges. This should serve as an example to others who believe their title enables them to escape notice when engaging in illegal behavior.”
Prosecutors said from March 2011 through June 2018 Silva made numerous unauthorized transactions to a personal account and credit card and to credit union accounts in the names of two relatives.
The $34-million credit union has approximately 4,100 members.