September 16, 11

NEWS / Former Jerseyville Bank Vice President Convicted

Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud

Mary S. Becker, 56, of Jerseyville, Illinois, pled guilty in federal court in East St. Louis to bank fraud, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. The bank fraud took place from at least 2003, through January, 2011, in Jersey County, Illinois. The offense of bank fraud carries with it a maximum penalty of up to 30 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of $1,000,000, five years’ supervised release, and mandatory restitution. The charge also includes a forfeiture allegation seeking property and proceeds traceable to the bank fraud violation, which includes her residence, two condominiums in Osage Beach, Missouri, a 38’ boat, vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, and bank stock. Sentencing is scheduled for January 5, 2012.

In her guilty plea, Becker admitted that she electronically transferred funds from the bank’s corresponding accounts to her own accounts, inflated expenses to a prepaid expense account, and then electronically transferred the funds to her account, took money from a certificate of deposit account, and concealed the money in the bank’s general ledger. To perpetuate the scheme, Becker provided false information in the monthly reports to the board. Becker additionally provided false information to FDIC examiners and to state bank examiners. Becker had been employed by the Jersey State Bank since approximately 1976. During her employment she held various positions including assistant cashier, a director of the bank holding corporation, and executive vice president. Her responsibilities included being in charge of the bank’s general ledger, the corresponding accounts, and she provided regular reports to the president and board members as to the bank’s assets, stability and financial soundness. It is reported that approximately $4.4 million was embezzled from the bank.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation/Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is engaging in criminal activity or fraud, you may report this activity by contacting the local Federal Bureau of Investigation at (618) 397-4401 or by mailing information to: Federal Bureau of Investigation, 6701 North Illinois, Suite 200, Fairview Heights, IL 62208

Report Financial Institution Fraud:

The FDIC OIG operates a toll-free, nationwide Hotline (1-800-964-FDIC) to provide a convenient way to report suspected instances of fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement in FDIC programs or operations. E-mail: ighotline@fdic.gov, or write Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General: Hotline, 3501 Fairfax Drive, Room VS-D-9069, Arlington, VA 22226

http://www.fbi.gov/springfield/press-releases/2011/former-jerseyville-bank-vice-president-convicted

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