BANK INSIDER CONVICTED OF DEFRAUDING EMPLOYER

(HOUSTON) – Kevin J. Cook, a former employee of Bank of America, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today.

Cook, 25, of Houston, pleaded guilty at a hearing before United States District Judge Sim Lake this afternoon. Cook was indicted in October 2009 along with another in a 12-count indictment with conspiracy, bank fraud and possessing counterfeit checks arising from a scheme to defraud Bank of America. Beginning in January 2009 through June 8, 2009, Cook, using his position as a senior teller at the Old Spanish Trail branch of Bank of America, agreed to and did provide stolen account information and copies of checks from unsuspecting bank customer to another for a fee. That information was then used to make counterfeit checks which were then distributed to various individuals recruited to cash the checks at Bank of America branches in exchange for a fee. Each of the checks were made payable to the recruited individual in amounts ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars. The total loss to Bank of America has not yet been determined. 

Judge Lake has permitted Cook to remain on bond pending his sentencing hearing set for April 9, 2010. Cook faces a statutory maximum of 30 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan.

 

 

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