Farmington Woman Admits Stealing Money From Bank Customers

A Farmington woman admitted to using her position as head teller to steal more than $178,000 from customers at Webster Bank in Bristol, according to a press release from the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut office.

Michelle Laudato, 35, waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, the release says. Laudato reportedly took the money from CD accounts of at least 18 customers between July 2009 and June 2010, at times withdrawing money from one account to replace what she had taken from another.

Thirteen of the 18 victims were between the ages of 79 and 99, the release says, and Laudato withdrew the money in increments of $10,000 or less to avoid reporting requirements.

She is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 6 and faces a maximum term of 30 years in jail and a fine of $1 million. According to the release, the case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.