Former Exec Charged In $400K Theft
CORINTH, N.Y.-A former executive at Hudson River Community CU was charged with stealing more than $400,000 from the CU over four years. Jason LaPierre, a pastor at River Church in Kingsbury, who served as director of marketing and later of HR, is charged with second-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsifying business records, both felonies.
Ex-CEO Sues MCFCU Over Ouster
MONTEREY, Calif.-The former president of tiny Monterey Columbian FCU, now part of Monterey County Employees CU, is suing her former employer, alleging age, disability and gender discrimination led to her firing. Donna Bindel is suing for at least $600,000 in lost wages and damages for "humiliation, mental anguish and emotional and physical distress," according to the suit, filed in state court. Bindel first joined the credit union as a clerk in 1981, was promoted to assistant manager in 1988 and became CEO in 1991. She said her career took a turn downward when her credit union merged with the larger institution in 2008. In the suit, Bindel alleges unfair treatment began after she raised concerns that CU rules were being violated.
Ex-Employee Admits To Theft
PEORIA, Ill.-A former Visa credit card manager at CEFCU admitted last week she stole almost $230,000 through the credit union's cards program over a two-year period. Valarie Mason, 51, confessed to a scheme with which she used her access to other employee login IDs and passwords and opened Visa accounts, raising credit limits on some cards, including her own, and changing the mailing addresses so the card holders weren't aware. She then used cash advances to pay for her bills and expenses.
