Vytas Apanavicius, Embezzlement, Ohio 2013

Vytas Apanavicius, 44, of Mentor, Ohio, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft or embezzlement from a credit union in connection with a scheme that defrauded Taupa Lithuanian Credit Union of nearly $1 million.

Apanavicius owned VPA Accounting Inc., which provided bookkeeping and accounting services to Taupa from 1995 through 2013. He controlled six accounts at the credit union and became aware that CEO Alex Spirikaitis routinely deposited and transferred Taupa funds into member accounts to cover overdrafts.

Apanavicius then withdrew funds from his accounts and did not maintain sufficient balances to cover withdrawals. Spirikaitis, 51, of Solon, would deposit and transfer Taupa funds into Apanavicius’ accounts to cover his overdrafts and withdrawals.

As a result of the conspiracy, Taupa and the National Credit Union Administration suffered a loss of approximately $962,689. Spirikaitis, along with two other individuals, Michael Ruksenas, 33, of Naples, Florida, and John Struna, 51, of Concord Township, have previously been charged for their roles in the conspiracy.

The National Credit Union Administration and the Ohio Department of Commerce took possession of Taupa last July and placed it into receivership due to its insolvency. Taupa had about 1,150 members and assets of approximately $24 million.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Patton and Special Assistant United States Attorney Derek Kleinmann. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

If convicted, Apanavicius’ sentence will be determined by the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which depend on a number of factors unique to each case. An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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