Woman Sentenced for Embezzlement by Bank Employee
Posted/updated on: April 12, 2012 at 3:57 pm
TYLER – A Van Zandt County woman has been sentenced to federal prison for embezzling bank funds. Lori Smith Pickens, 40, of Grand Saline, pleaded guilty last November, to embezzlement by a bank employee. She was sentenced yesterday to 12 months and one day in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Pickens was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $102,135.29.
According to information presented in court, 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 September 15, 2011.
