The scheme targeted Zapata National Bank (ZNB), where Petra Del Bosque, a former employee, was in on the action. Del Bosque, 55, and Anita Arredondo, 55, both from Zapata, have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a long-running bank fraud scheme.
According to court documents, Arredondo, who worked for a Zapata-based construction company as a clerk in the accounts payable department, issued numerous false company checks made payable to contractors who had not performed the work. Arredondo admitted to endorsing the false checks by forging the signatures of the contractors and then delivering the checks to Del Bosque at ZNB.
Del Bosque, who led ZNB bank tellers to believe she was cashing the checks on behalf of the contractors, actually pocketed the money and split the proceeds of the fraud with Arredondo. Both women have admitted that the loss as a result of the scheme totals more than $800,000.
However, Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo found that neither defendant had been truthful with the court in accounting for the whereabouts of the remainder of the stolen money. Arredondo and Del Bosque had returned some money at the time of their arrests and later submitted expenditure reports to the court purporting to show how they had spent the remaining funds. However, Judge Marmolejo did not find their reports credible and there is nearly $200,000 in unaccounted for stolen funds.
Del Bosque and Arredondo each pleaded guilty in January and February 2015, respectively. Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo handed both women a 36-month prison sentence, each to be followed by five years of supervised release. The court also ordered they owe restitution in the amount of $615,681.15.
The FBI investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Johnson and former AUSA Sanjeev Bhasker prosecuting.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in financial institutions and the severe consequences that can result from such crimes. With this sentencing, justice has been served, and the community can rest a little easier knowing that those responsible have been held accountable.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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