WHEELING, Va. – The former president of Center Valley FCU agreed to plead guilty yesterday to stealing as much as $9 million from the $17 million credit union as part of a deal that will dissuade prosecutors from charging her husband and grown children in the scheme.
Much of the money was diverted by Bernie Metz, 56, to finance her and her husband’s purchase of a local inn and restaurant and to fund other family purchases, according to prosecutors.
If the plea agreement is approved, Metz could serve 87 months in prison and agree to forfeit property that she used embezzled money to obtain, such as the Roadworthy Restaurant she owned in West Liberty and several family vehicles.
As part of the plea agreement, Metz's husband and children will not be prosecuted. Prosecutors said Metz's husband, Eric, likely would have been charged with conspiracy.
The credit union was liquidated in February 2009 after an audit by NCUA found the money was missing.
