Loan Officer Allegedly Turns CU Into Personal Piggy Bank

ODESSA, Texas—A loan officer from Southwest Heritage Credit Union here has been accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme, diverting over $300,000 into her own accounts by creating loans under false identities, the Odessa American reported.

According to local police reports, Malena Romero, 39, stole the money from the credit union office located on John Ben Sheppard Parkway over a year-long period, beginning in September 2023 the Odessa American said.

Romero was arrested on suspicion of theft of property more than $300,000, a first-degree felony and was booked into the Ector County jail and her bond was set at $50,000, the Odessa American said.

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