LANSING, Mich. — A former teller at Michigan First Credit Union here has been charged with two counts of Embezzlement from a Financial Institution for allegedly withdrawing a total of $24,000 from the account of a 92-year-old member.
Stephanie Joyce-Bennett Beauford, 52, of Redford was arraigned in Wayne County 36th District Court following an investigation by the Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the Department of Attorney General’s Financial Crimes Division. If convicted, the sentence could be as long as 20 years.
According to authorities, Beauford had been a teller at Michigan First Credit Union since 2005. Michigan First terminated her employment following an interview in which she allegedly admitted withdrawing the funds from the account of an elderly member, who was hospitalized at the time, authorities said.
The alleged embezzlement was referred to the Michigan Attorney General by the state Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) in early 2018. The issue came to DIFS’ attention following a complaint submitted by the victim’s family. DIFS’ examination discovered irregularities and referred the case to the Attorney General for criminal prosecution, authorities said.