Prosecutors say Martha Thompson embezzled $239,098 to cover gambling debts

WICHITA, KAN. – A former vice president of Citizens Bank of Weir, Kan., pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzlement.

Martha Thompson, 59, Weir, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank employee.

“Ms. Thompson admitted to what she called ‘loaning’ herself money out of the bank’s funds after losing various sums of money while gambling at casinos,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren.

In her plea, Thompson admitted that while she worked at the bank and continuing through Aug. 6, 2007, she took money from the bank without prior approval of bank authorities and without disclosing that the loans were to pay gambling debts. She did not complete any loan applications or provide documentation ordinarily required for the bank to make loans.

When the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was preparing to audit the bank, she combined several of the unapproved loans in a single loan and falsely stated that the loan was made to another person who had an account at the bank. In addition, she wrote checks to several casinos when there were insufficient funds in her account to cover the checks.

The government asserts the loss was $239,000, but Thompson has reserved the right to dispute the amount at sentencing.

Sentencing is set for July 23. She faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million. Melgren commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.

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