Laura Parrish, a former bank employee in Pine Bluff, was sentenced on May 6 to thirty-six months in federal prison for stealing more than $400,000 from the bank's customers. United States District Judge Brian S. Miller handed down the sentence after Parrish pleaded guilty to one count of bank theft, according to Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
The case highlights concerns about trust and security within financial institutions. The U.S. Attorney's Office said that holding employees accountable is important for protecting both banks and their customers.
Court records show that Parrish worked at the local bank between November 2016 and January 2024. During this time, she used customer funds to pay her personal credit cards and transferred money into her own online accounts. She also opened credit cards using other people's names and made payments on those accounts using customer funds. Between July 2021 and January 2024, she embezzled approximately $413,871 from eight different customers.
An investigation found that between August 31, 2021, and April 18, 2023, Parrish took about $364,000 from one family—including a deceased member—to benefit herself or her business interests. She continued taking money even after one victim had died by submitting fraudulent applications with their information.
"This individual abused a position of trust to steal from hardworking Arkansans, including some of our most vulnerable citizens," said Jason Van Goor of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). "The FBI will continue working with our partners to hold fraudsters accountable and pursue justice for victims." John T. Perez from the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System said: "This sentence should serve as a warning that we will vigorously pursue bank insiders who defraud financial institutions regulated and supervised by the Federal Reserve Board." Jeff Thomson from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General added: "It is especially concerning when bank insiders abuse their positions of trust to victimize unwitting bank customers... The FDIC OIG will continue to join with our colleagues in ensuring that those who selfishly steal for personal gain are held accountable." Ross also commented: "Laura Parrish took advantage of her position at the bank... Our office will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to see that employees like Parrish who elect to violate their fiduciary obligations are held accountable for their criminal acts that negatively and significantly impact bank operations and its customers."
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas prosecutes federal crimes—including cases like this—and manages civil litigation on behalf of the United States while partnering with law enforcement agencies across its jurisdiction according to its official website.
