Former Bank Manager Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds and Aggravated Identity Theft
BAY CITY - A former branch manager of JPMorgan Chase Bank pleaded guilty today to theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft, Acting U.S. Attorney Saima S. Mohsin announced.
Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Acting Resident Agent in Charge Katy Krieg of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Chicago Field Division, Detroit Sub-Office.
Jeffrey Piecka, 46, of Midland pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia T. Morris.
Piecka pleaded guilty to devising and executing a scheme to steal $169,967.63 in government benefits from the bank account of a deceased individual. In the course of his employment with Chase, Piecka conducted a search of open accounts with little account activity. He found an account that was not being used and suspected that the account owner was deceased. Piecka then made changes to the bank account to create online account access for himself, and he proceeded to withdraw significant sums of money from the account by various means, including by initiating an electronic transfer to himself, negotiating online bill payment checks made payable to himself, and making online payments to credit card companies, a utility company, his apartment complex, and his car lender.
Piecka entered into a plea agreement, under which he agreed to pay full restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $169,967.63. A sentencing date will be set by the court.
This case was investigated by special agents of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne M. Lambert.