Trumbull Resident Pleads Guilty To Committing Fraud

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANGELINA VELASQUEZ, 46, of Trumbull, pleaded guilty today before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport to one count of bank fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, VELASQUEZ was employed as the payroll and human resources coordinator for a victim company.  From approximately September 2007 to November 2009, VELASQUEZ manipulated her employer’s payroll system and caused the company to generate approximately 350 unauthorized payroll checks, totaling approximately $247,570, in the names of 87 different employees at the company.  She then intercepted the checks before delivery to the employees, forged their signatures on the back of the checks, deposited and cashed the checks at two banks and used the proceeds for her own personal use.

In addition, VELASQUEZ assisted individuals by preparing and submitting personal income tax returns and, in 2009, she defrauded an individual out of her tax refund of $5,146.

VELASQUEZ is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall on May 23, 2013, at which time VELASQUEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

This case is being investigated by the Shelton Police Department, the United States Secret Service, and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, which includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov