Bank Teller Guilty of Embezzling Funds
Posted/updated on: November 16, 2011 at 3:32 pm
TYLER – A Grand Saline woman has pleaded guilty in Tyler to embezzling bank funds. Lori Smith Pickens, 39, pleaded guilty to embezzlement by a bank employee in an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to authorities, from May 2008 to July 2010, Pickens was employed as a bank teller at the Grand Saline branch of Austin Bank. During that time, Pickens made unauthorized cash-outs from the accounts of multiple bank customers resulting in defrauding the bank of more than $100,000. Pickens was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 15, 2011. This law enforcement action is part of President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. Pickens faces up to 30 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.
