Memphis, TN - A local woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy and embezzlement, while being employed as a teller at Tri-State Bank ("Tri-State") in Memphis. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the guilty plea today.
According to the charging instrument, from calendar years 2015 to 2016, Tanya Williams, a Tri-State bank teller, participated in a scheme to activate many dormant accounts and withdraw funds from said accounts. Williams and her bank manager used their Tri-State computer and user I.D. to activate and enter the accounts to fraudulently withdraw funds. The manager gave Williams some of the proceeds due to her willingness to participate in the fraud. During the time of the conspiracy and embezzlement, Tri-State suffered a loss of over $214,000.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The long term financial fraud and embezzlement committed by this defendant is disturbing and far-reaching. The abuse of her position of trust and authority as a teller for her own personal gain had a significant negative impact on the employees and customers of Tri-State Bank. The U.S. Attorney’s Office places a high priority on protecting the security, deposits, and assets of financial institutions, and this conviction demonstrates that commitment."
Sentencing is set for April 5, 2018, before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes. Williams pleaded guilty to one-count of conspiracy and another count of embezzlement. The maximum penalty for conspiracy is 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine and for embezzlement 30 years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. On Aug. 30, 2018, the co-defendant, Michael B. Gaines, pled guilty to embezzlement. U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Gaines to 12 months and one-day in federal prison on December 6, 2018.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Damon Keith Griffin is prosecuting the case on the government’s behalf.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
