30-COUNT INDICTMENT ALLEGES FINANCIAL INSTITUTION FRAUD AGAINST BANK EMPLOYEE

Wheaton Woman Allegedly Stole More Than $100,000 from Seniors’ Bank Accounts

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that 41 year-old Amy Esposito, (d.o.b. 9/03/1967) of 624 Aurora Way, Wheaton, has been charged with stealing more than $100,000 from the bank accounts of elderly customers at a bank where she worked.

             It is alleged in the 30-count indictment, that while employed as an Operations Officer and Senior Personal Banker at Community Bank - Wheaton/Glen Ellyn, Esposito gained access to customer accounts and withdrew and transferred unauthorized funds from these accounts which she would then use to pay her own personal expenses.  The indictment further alleges the   embezzlement took place from February, 2004 through July, 2008.  Esposito’s alleged scheme was uncovered however when one of the victim’s family members alerted bank authorities to discrepancies in their parent’s account.  The bank conducted their own internal audit and turned over their findings to the State’s Attorney’s Office.  In all, Esposito is facing one count of Misappropriation of Financial Institution Property, two counts of Financial Institution Fraud, four counts of Theft Over $100,000, seven counts of Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person, five counts of Theft Over $5,000 From a person Over 60 Years Old, two counts of Continuing Financial Crimes Enterprise, two counts of Money Laundering and seven counts of Theft.

             “If these allegations are proven true, Amy Esposito attempted to line her pockets at the expense of others who had trusted her,” remarked Birkett.  “I would like to thank officials at Community Bank - Wheaton/Glen Ellyn for their diligence and assistance in helping us unravel Mrs. Esposito’s alleged scheme.”

             Esposito, who was indicted on the charges on Tuesday, April 8, was taken into custody late yesterday afternoon without incident.  She appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Jane Mitton ordered she be held on $500,000 bond with 10% to apply.  Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 15 in front of Judge Perry Thompson.

Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt.   A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.