COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A former employee with Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) is facing fraud charges after investigators say he deposited counterfeit checks worth more than $800,000 for himself and other co-conspirators.
The Columbus Police Department (CPD) began investigating Steven Verrett back in February of this year.
CPD says Verrett used legitimate customers at his desk as cover while he deposited counterfeit checks and opened fraudulent vehicle loans. According to police, those funds were funneled to himself and several other co-conspirators.
The initial five checks were worth over $800,000 in total. They were reported stolen from the mail.
Further investigation has identified at least eight NFCU accounts involved in the fraud.
Verrett was arrested on Tuesday. He was taken to Muscogee County Jail and charged with the following:
- Five counts of third degree forgery
- Three counts of identity fraud
- Two counts of criminal attempt theft by deception
- Theft by deception
- Financial transaction card forgery
- Computer trespass
- Computer invasion of privacy
- Computer forgery
Additional charges are pending. Police expect further arrests in connection to this fraud investigation.
Verrett is set to appear in Recorder’s Court on Friday at 9 a.m.