MONTEREY, Calif. – A state judge ignored pleas from credit union executives for a stiffer penalty and sentenced a former employee of Unified FCU last week to three months in prison for stealing $135,000, most of which he was supposed to be using to replenish ATMs.
Christopher Alcaraz, 32, pleaded guilty in July to one count of embezzling $135,384 from Unified Federal from June of 2008 through May of 2010. During a cash audit by credit union officials, Alcaraz acted suspiciously, attempted to skirt the audit, and made excuses to delay an audit of his cash drawer.
Credit union officials expressed disappointment at the lenient sentence, which was give even after probation officials and prosecutors asked for at least a year behind bars.
At last week’s sentencing hearing, four representatives from the credit union expressed anger, disappointment and disgust at Alcaraz' crime. They stated that police officers and federal employees were loyal members of the credit union and had been affected by Alcaraz' criminal activities. The credit union president implored the judge to sentence Alcaraz to serve the maximum term in jail.
An investigation revealed his cash drawer was $21,000 short. The manager recalled that Alcaraz was also responsible for emptying the ATM daily deposits. This led to a more extensive audit, which revealed over $57,000 was missing.
It was further discovered that Alcaraz falsified account reconciliation/settlement documents and automated account information to conceal the theft. A search of Alcaraz' home turned up credit union documents and unprocessed checks from members. When confronted about the loss, Alcaraz promised to return the money and then promptly absconded for approximately three weeks before the Soledad police found him.
Alcaraz has until this week to repay $50,000 of the embezzled funds.
