Crime & Safety

Trumbull Woman Charged with Fraud

Prosecutors say she took nearly $5,200 in an income tax refund.

A Trumbull woman was indicted on charges of bank fraud and wire fraud offenses stemming from an embezzlement scheme, and a separate scheme that defrauded an individual out of her federal tax refund. 

A federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned a six-count indictment charging Angelina Velasquez, 46, of Trumbull, with bank fraud and wire fraud offenses. 

The indictment alleges that Velasquez was employed as the payroll and human resources coordinator for a victim company. From approximately September 2007 to November 2009, Velasquez manipulated her employer’s payroll system and caused the company to generate hundreds of unauthorized payroll checks in the names of dozens of other employees at the company.

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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, prosecutors said.

The indictment also alleges that Velasquez assisted individuals by preparing and submitting personal income tax returns and, in 2009, she defrauded an individual out of her tax refund of $5,172.

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The indictment was returned on Sept. 25, 2012, and was unsealed today during Velasquez’s arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport.  Velasquez pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bond.

Velasquez is charged with five counts of bank fraud and one count wire fraud.  If convicted, she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years on each count.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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.


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