Bank teller charged with fraud in $270,000 scheme

By Jenna Nierstedt, Globe Correspondent  |  June 5, 2009

A Bank of America teller was charged yesterday with fraud and accused of participating in a scheme to steal about $270,000 from customers at a branch in Peabody, according to the US attorney's office.

Jeffrey C. Gautreaux, 25, of Peabody was indicted in US District Court on 17 counts of bank fraud, one count of access device fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

Acting US Attorney Michael K. Loucks said that from about July 2005 to June 2006 Gautreaux, who worked at the Andover Street branch, used his position to gain access to the accounts and personal data of customers who had deposited funds at the bank.

Gautreaux sold account information to other people, who then used the information to make unauthorized withdrawals from customers' accounts, according to the indictment.

Gautreaux then shared the proceeds, about $270,000, with the others, the indictment alleges.

The unauthorized withdrawals ranged in amounts from $2,800 to $38,100 and affected customers from Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New Hampshire, according to the indictment.

If convicted, Gautreaux faces up to 30 years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine on each count of bank fraud.

He also faces 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 for the access device fraud charge; and two years in prison, to be served consecutively with any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft, Loucks said.

Gautreaux was employed at the branch from November 2004 to February 2006.

The case was investigated by the FBI.