Bank Supervisor Charged with Embezzlement

McALLEN, TX—A three count indictment charging a First National Bank supervisor with embezzlement by a bank employee has been unsealed, United States Attorney Jose Angel Moreno and FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Cory B. Nelson announced today.

The indictment, returned under seal by a McAllen grand jury on Dec. 28, 2010, was unsealed today following the arrest this morning of Lisa Rodriguez, 41, of Le Blanca, Texas, by FBI agents. Rodriguez was ordered released on bond following an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos.

According to the indictment, from April 2009, through July 2010, Rodriguez supervised First National Bank’s (FNB) electronic banking department. Her responsibilities included, among other things, overseeing the collection and processing of any customer debit cards that were returned in the mail to FNB as undeliverable. Rodriguez was similarly responsible for undeliverable envelopes containing the corresponding pin numbers for the customer debit cards. The indictment alleges that Rodriguez misappropriated numerous undeliverable debit cards and the corresponding PIN information to conduct at least $37,000 in unauthorized debit transactions including cash withdrawals at ATMs in McAllen, Edinburg, and San Antonio.

Each count of embezzlement by a bank employee carries a penalty of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole and a $1,000,000 fine, upon conviction.

The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by special agents of the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory S. Saikin is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.