TAMPA, Fla. A former manager of a Suncoast Schools FCU branch who was awaiting sentencing for stealing more than $250,000 from member accounts died suddenly Monday, a week before she was scheduled to be sentenced.
Jennifer Hoefler, 41, died in her sleep at her Floral City home from what authorities determined to be natural causes.
Hoefler, who worked her way up from teller to manager of the Brooksville branch, was described as a model employee in March when she was charged with stealing from at least 15 member accounts by forging cashier checks and withdrawal slips.
In August Hoefler pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. She was scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 19.
Among the victims were two members who reported to credit union officials that money had turned up missing from three accounts they share. They produced documents and signed sworn affidavits stating they did not withdraw the money or authorize anyone else to do so.
Investigators found that Hoefler stole $49,125 from those accounts between Sept. 25, 2012, and Feb. 13 in transaction amounts ranging from $100 to $5,000. Detectives said at least two transactions were in the form of a Suncoast cashier’s check.
During an interview with detectives, Hoefler admitted taking the money to support a prescription drug habit, according to the Sheriff's office. Just before the interview, investigators learned Hoefler made another fraudulent transaction in the amount of $1,000. They found $750 in cash in her car.
