Charity's Embezzled Funds Repaid ByCU

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - (04/16/03) -- Montana FCU has agreed to repay theGreat Falls Community Food Bank $121,000 embezzled by the localcharity's former chief executive through a credit union sincemerged into Montana FCU. Authorities said Alan Reavley, 57, mayhave stolen as much as $200,000 from the food bank by cashingchecks drawn on Cicosta CU, merged two years ago into Montana FCU,then drawing the funds in money orders which he used to support alavish lifestyle. Reavley, sentenced to prison in March for thescheme, has also been charged with murder in connection with the1964 double killings of Great Falls grocer Jim Arrotta and his wifeLois. The embezzlement was discovered during the murderinvestigation, police said. Wally Berry, president of Montana FCU,said the credit union and its insurer, CUNA Mutual Group, agreed topay the restitution for the embezzlement at Cicosta CU to put anend to the publicity. "We have maintained from the very beginningwe did not want this to go to trial," Berry told The Credit UnionJournal. "We certainly didn't need any more bad publicity thatwould link our name to it."