Fuataina Afutiti is accused of embezzling more than two million dollars from the Veterans Health Administration Credit Union. She worked as the credit union’s president and chief executive. She is a resident of Westland, which is located in Wayne County near Detroit.
According to press releases put out by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, Afutiti has been charged with single counts of Receiving Proceeds from a Continuing Criminal Enterprise and Embezzlement from a credit union.
She was arraigned before Magistrate Bari Blake Wood in the 36th District Court in Detroit and she was granted a personal recognizance bond of $10,000. The conditions of her bond are that she must surrender her passport, is not allowed to leave the state of Michigan, and can have no contact with witnesses involved in the case.
The investigation was started in February of 2016 during a routine audit by Credit Union Examiners from the State of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) discovered possible misconduct. The subsequent investigation revealed serious irregularities that Afutiti was unable to explain.
According to the Attorney General’s press release, the alleged embezzlement took place between 2012 and 2016, up until the Credit Union closed in May of this year. In addition, closer inspection of her financial history shows that she used some of that money to lease numerous vehicles and purchase a 2013 Mercedes Benz. She also allegedly bought a $100,000 motorhome and several expensive vacations.
According to Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, the total amount of money stolen from the Credit Union was $2,303,158.66. For that reason, claims A.G. Shuette, the Credit Union was forced into insolvency and therefore had to close in May 2016.
In press release, Schuette explained why he was so upset by the allegations. “For a person to take advantage of Michigan veterans, many of whom are disabled and on fixed incomes, to use the money to live a life of excess is despicable. These men and women gave so much to allow us the freedoms we have in this country and anyone who takes advantage of that will face the consequences.”
Embezzlement is a very serious crime in Michigan. It can result in decades behind bars if the prosecutor is successful in convincing a jury that someone stole money that wasn’t theirs. If you have been accused of embezzling or stealing money, you are going to need a skilled and experienced defense attorney on your side. Our criminal defense team has defended people accused of embezzlement and other theft crimes for nearly a quarter century. Call us today
at 1 866 766 5245.