Former Bank Employee Charged in Superseding Indictment with Thefts totaling $496,000 from Wachovia Bank

TRENTON – A Ewing Man was charged in a federal Superseding Indictment today in connection with thefts totaling approximately $496,000 from bank teller drawers and automated teller machines at a Wachovia Bank branch in Ewing, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Richard F. Harriott, 29, a.k.a. “Richard Harrison,” a Jamaican national, will be arraigned on the charges in the Superseding Indictment in the coming weeks.

The Superseding Indictment alleges that from April 2004 through May 2005 the defendant, while employed by Wachovia Bank at a Ewing branch, misapplied funds from his teller drawer. Count One of the Superseding Indictment alleges the defendant embezzled bank funds totaling $145,000 during the time period.

The Indictment also alleges that on Jan. 25, 2006, after his employment was terminated, Harriott entered the same bank branch and committed a theft of approximately $351,000 from two automated teller machines. Harriott is charged in Count Two with larceny and Count Three with theft of money or property valued at over $1000 which was possessed or belonged to a bank, in connection with the ATM thefts.

The defendant was first arrested on Feb. 21, 2006, on a one-count Indictment, which was returned by a grand jury on Feb. 16, in connection with the embezzlement of funds from teller drawers. The defendant was arrested again on April 25 on a separate Indictment, which was returned on April 20, in connection with the ATM thefts. Harriott is free on $150,000 bond.

The Superseding Indictment combines the charges in the earlier Indictments and adds Count Three.

Count One of the Superseding Indictment, which alleges embezzlement of bank funds, carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the aggregate loss to the victims or gain to the defendant. Count Two charging larceny carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the aggregate loss to the victims or gain to the defendant. Count three, charging theft of money or property in the possession and belonging to a bank which is valued at over $1000, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the aggregate loss to the victims or gain to the defendant.

In determining an actual sentence, U.S. District Judge Mary Cooper would, upon a conviction, consult the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges that take into account the severity and characteristics of the offense, the defendant's criminal history, if any, and other factors. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence. Parole has been abolished in the federal system. Defendants who are given custodial terms must serve nearly all that time.

Despite indictment, the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI’s West Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Leslie G. Wiser, Jr., in Newark, with the investigation leading to the Indictments.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Katz of the Criminal Division in Trenton.

Defense Attorney: Andrea Bergman, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender