Defendant Allegedly Stole $465,172 from the Winthrop University Hospital Federal Credit Union to Fund Her Lavish Lifestyle
New York – 20 September 2018 – An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Central Islip charging Suzanne Silva with embezzling over $465,000 during her seven-year tenure as Chief Operating Officer of Winthrop University Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union located in Mineola, New York (hereinafter Winthrop). Silva was arrested today, and her initial appearance is scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.
“As alleged in the indictment, Silva abused her authority as Chief Operating Officer and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the credit union, which she used to fund an extravagant lifestyle,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “Today’s arrest demonstrates that this Office will hold executives at financial institutions accountable for abrogating their duties and using their access to line their pockets.”
“Greed surfaces at all levels when criminals see a payday, and they think no one is watching,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge
Sweeney. “In this investigation, someone noticed nearly half a million dollars was gone and now the COO faces criminal charges. This should serve as an example to others who believe their title enables them to escape notice when engaging in illegal behavior.”
As alleged in the indictment and court filings, between March 2011 and June 2018, Silva took advantage of her position at Winthrop to make unauthorized transfers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars from operating accounts of Winthrop to personal accounts in her name and the names of family members. Silva used the funds to take Caribbean cruises, travel to Cancun and pay thousands of dollars a month for purchases from Amazon and Etsy. Silva’s employment was terminated by Winthrop in June 2018.
If convicted, Silva faces a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles P. Kelly and Madeline O’Connor.
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-507 (DRH)
Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Eastern District of New York
Source: United States Department of Justice
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