Bank Teller Accused of Embezzling $180,000 Faces 30-Year Sentence

An employee at a major US bank has been accused of embezzling $180,000 from two customers' accounts while working as a teller at a branch in Boston, Massachusetts. The Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that Derek Aut, the accused, forged documents to facilitate the theft. Aut is said to have used various techniques, including forging the names of the customers on withdrawal slips, to carry out his scheme. After the first theft was discovered, Aut allegedly attempted to cover his tracks by siphoning funds from another bank account to replace the missing money. When one of the victims noticed the discrepancy, Aut is reported to have taken money from the second victim’s account and deposited it into the first victim’s account to conceal his actions.

The initial criminal charges against Aut were filed in December 2024. The charges now include embezzlement by a bank employee and aggravated identity theft. Aut has agreed to plead guilty to the charges and faces a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine for the embezzlement charge. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutively with any other sentence imposed. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This incident highlights the vulnerabilities within the banking system and the potential for insider threats. Banks must implement robust internal controls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent such fraudulent activities. The case also underscores the importance of customer vigilance in monitoring their accounts for any unauthorized transactions. Customers should regularly review their account statements and report any suspicious activity to their bank immediately. Banks should also consider enhancing their training programs for employees to ensure they are aware of the risks and consequences of embezzlement and identity theft.