Former Guaranty Bank manager pleads guilty to fraud

The former manager of a Guaranty Bank branch in Nixa pleaded guilty last week to stealing more than $316,000 from customers.

Jennifer Gunter, 33, of Republic, who was manager of the 291 Highway CC branch from August 2005 until her November 2012 termination, admitted she accessed the bank accounts of four elderly customers, embezzling $316,598 during a nearly six-year period, according to a news release from the office of Tammy Dickinson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

From December 2006 to November 2012, Gunter forged the names of the account holders on submitted tickets, withdrawal slips and cashier's checks in order to withdraw the money, which she used for her personal benefit, according to the release. Gunter admitted she made sure the customers were not mailed status updates so her fraudulent activity would go unnoticed.

Gunter also pleaded guilty to failing to report the embezzled funds on her taxes. She failed to report additional income of $45,002 in 2009; $70,481 in 2010; $107,119 in 2011; and $35,000 in 2012, the release said. Gunter's failure to note the additional income resulted in a federal tax loss of $50,140.

Under federal statutes, Gunter could receive to up to 33 years in federal prison without parole, as well as up to a $1.1 million fine and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled, followed by a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-Office of Inspector General; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; and the Christian County Sheriff’s Department.[[In-content Ad]]