Ohio County Public Schools Federal Credit Union Employee Faces Federal Embezzlement Charges
WHEELING — A former Ohio County Public Schools Federal Credit Union employee faces 30 years in prison after she was charged with embezzlement Thursday in federal court.
Kathleen Gramlich, 65, of Valley Grove, was charged by information with theft from a credit union, according to a news release from United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld.
“Gramlich stole more than $156,000 from the credit union and used the funds to pay personal debts,” the release states. “The embezzlement scheme was uncovered in March after a routine reconciliation of accounts by an employee of the credit union revealed possible wrongdoing.”
The alleged theft occurred between June 2013 and March of this year, according the U.S. attorney’s office. In addition to seeking an order that she pay the money back, Gramlich faces up to 30 years in prison, if convicted.
Gramlich was executive director of the credit union when the alleged embezzlement was discovered.
She later resigned, according to William Wilmoth of the Steptoe & Johnson law firm, which the credit union hired to conduct an initial investigation before federal officials became involved.
“The member accounts at the Ohio County Public Schools Federal Credit Union are insured by the National Credit Union Administration Board,” Ihlenfeld said.
“Because of this insurance, and because of the way that the scheme was perpetrated, the funds of account holders are not, and never were, in jeopardy.”
The credit union serves about 1,000 members who are current, former and retired employees of Ohio County Public Schools and their families. It has continued to operate since the suspected embezzlement came to light earlier this year.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the West Virginia State Police.
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