ORLANDO—A former employee of Fairwinds Credit Union here faces up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $250,000.
Yahaira Rivera, 35, a former assistant branch manager, has acknowledged stealing the money while she was an assistant branch manager. In all, Rivera was charged with 17 different criminal counts.
An indictment against Rivera was unsealed in January, charging her with 17 crimes, although she pleaded guilty to just one charge — embezzlement from a federally insured credit union.
The remaining 16 charges will be dismissed at her sentencing hearing under the plea agreement she signed with federal prosecutors. That agreement calls for Rivera to repay the amount of money stolen—$258,000. Rivera, who worked at the credit union from 2008-2011, stole the money that was supposed to be placed inside ATMs.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 17.