SCRANTON, Penn.–The already delayed sentencing for the former CEO of a credit union here found guilty of fraud and even creating fictitious board members has been delayed again after he fired his defense attorney.
Sean E. Jelen, the ex-CEO of Valor Credit Union, pleaded guilty in July 2016 to federal charges of bank fraud and attempted bank fraud as part of a scheme that defrauded Valor FCU of approximately $718,000. That included using funds to pay personal expenses, including $34,500 in credit card debt, a $30,371 birthday party for his wife, and $18,650 in graduate school tuition.
Jelen’s sentencing was scheduled several times, but it was postponed based on motions filed by the defense and prosecutors, according to the Times Tribune.
The Times Tribune reported Jelen’s attorney, Michael T. van der Veen of Philadelphia, filed a motion seeking to withdraw from the case, citing irreconcilable differences that developed between him and his client. U.S. District Judge Malachy Mannion initially denied the motion, but after a brief, closed-door hearing Tuesday, the judge allowed van der Veen to withdraw after confirming Jelen had retained a new attorney.
A “final” continuance was granted until Jan. 8.
Jelen, who was initially fired following a drunk driving charge in a credit union-owned Mercedes Benz that he initially declined to return to VFCU, faces up to 60 years in prison time.
CUToday.info has additional coverage here.
Valor Credit Union has since been merged into PenFed.