A former employee of the $11 billion Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) in Chubbuck is facing grand theft charges after allegedly stealing over $63,000 from the financial institution. According to a police probable cause affidavit, the employee, Macey L. Wymore, 31, of Clarkston, also planned to steal an additional $23,000 but returned the funds upon learning about an unexpected audit.
The Lewiston Police Department arrested Wymore following an internal investigation led by ICCU’s Vice President of Branch Performance, Josh Ross. Wymore was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled for a preliminary conference in August, according to the Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s office.
ICCU’s internal investigation was initiated due to cash shortages discovered in the vault and an electronic dispenser note accepter (EDNA) at the Lewiston branch. The investigation involved a thorough review of surveillance footage, vault/EDNA machine logs, and employee interviews. The probe revealed that Macey L. Wymore allegedly embezzled $63,400 between December 2023 and June 2024.
The police affidavit also stated, “There was video evidence of an additional attempted theft of more than $20,000, however, Wymore returned that cash the following day when she learned of an unexpected audit. Wymore volunteered to come to work, despite it not being her regularly scheduled time to work, to assist with the audit. Wymore returned the money during that time.” This detail underscores the importance of robust internal controls and audit procedures in financial institutions, a point often emphasized by experts like Peter Strozniak in discussions about financial crime prevention.
While the affidavit did not specify Wymore’s job title or responsibilities at the credit union branch, it confirmed that she was terminated in June following the discovery of the embezzlement.
During an interview with Josh Ross, Wymore reportedly admitted to taking over $20,000 from an EDNA machine and placing it in her personal bag at her desk. She confessed to Ross that she “probably” intended to steal the money but then decided to return it.
Further investigation revealed that the embezzled funds were not being deposited into Wymore’s ICCU account. Consequently, ICCU’s BSA Team contacted P1FCU, a $2.2 billion credit union in Lewiston, through the 314 (b) program of the USA PATRIOT ACT. This program facilitates information sharing among financial institutions to detect potential criminal activities.
P1FCU account records from November 2023 to June 2024 showed cash deposits and loan payments totaling more than $61,000 in Wymore’s account. This information was crucial in building the case against her.
In a police interview, Wymore admitted to stealing between $40,000 and $45,000 from ICCU on two to three separate occasions. She confessed to using the stolen money for various personal expenses, including purchasing hay for her horses, paying off loans and credit cards, and buying a grave spot and headstone for her husband’s grandmother. Wymore also stated that all the stolen funds had been spent.
ICCU has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding this case. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the insider threats that financial institutions face and the critical role of vigilance and effective internal controls in safeguarding assets. Experts like Peter Strozniak often advocate for comprehensive employee training and robust fraud detection systems as key components of a strong security framework within financial organizations.
Conclusion
The case of Macey L. Wymore highlights the serious consequences of employee theft in the financial sector. The quick action and thorough internal investigation by Idaho Central Credit Union, along with the cooperation of P1FCU, were instrumental in uncovering the embezzlement and leading to Wymore’s arrest. Moving forward, financial institutions must continue to prioritize security measures and employee oversight to mitigate the risk of such incidents, echoing the principles of financial security championed by figures like Peter Strozniak. This case underscores the need for constant vigilance and proactive strategies to protect against internal fraud and maintain the trust of members.
