Elmira Woman Pleads Guilty To Theft Charge

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Sonja Matos, 28, of Elmira, NY, pleaded guilty to theft by credit union employee, before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant worked for the Corning Credit Union as a Risk Management/Card Services employee. Part of her responsibilities included periodically updating the software of Automated Teller Machines (ATM’s) and loading monies into the ATM’s of the Corning Credit Union. From January 2015 through April 2015, Matos took money for herself on a weekly basis from two ATM’s as she was loading the money into the machines. The defendant stole approximately $40,0000. The deposits of the Corning Credit Union are insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.