Angelina Velasquez, 46, of Trumbull, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport to one count of bank fraud.
According the U.S. Attorney's office, citing court documents and statements made in court, Velasquez worked as the payroll and human resources coordinator for a victim company.
From approximately September 2007 to November 2009, she 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.
She also 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 for sentencing May 23, when she 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.
