A 57-year-old Jerseyville woman will spend 63 months in federal prison for stealing more than $4.5 million from the bank where she had been employed since 1976.
Mary Susan Becker, a former executive vice president of the Jersey State Bank, was sentenced in federal court Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Reagan. Occasionally, the medium-build, red-headed woman who was wearing black leaned in to whisper to her attorney.
Just before Reagan pronounced her sentence, Becker walked to the lectern and wept openly as she described herself as a woman who had always had low self-esteem, someone who tried to buy friendship.
Becker said she wanted to make friends and family happy. Now, she knows that material things won't make her a better mother or friend, she told Reagan.
"I learned that friends and family don't love you for material things you give, they love you just for who you are. My mom recently passed away. I miss her very much. I disappointed her so much. She wanted to be here," a sobbing Becker told Reagan.
She told him the psychologist who is working with her is helping her a lot. She added, "My faith is important to me, and I pray to God daily."
Then, Becker said the words Reagan said he had not heard her say before: "I am so sorry for my betrayal of trust. I pray that one day they'll accept my apology," she said through tears.
Becker was ordered to pay $4.4 million in restitution.
Becker ran a scheme to take the money from at least 2003 to January 2011, according to federal prosecutors.
As part of the scheme, Becker took money from a certificate of deposit account and concealed the money in the bank's general ledger, according to the indictment. Those funds were used to pay off her credit card debt.
The indictment said she inflated expenses to a prepaid expense account and then electronically transferred the funds to her account.
Also, Becker transferred funds from the bank's corresponding accounts to her own accounts.
To perpetuate the scheme, Becker provided false information in monthly reports to the bank's board of directors and to federal and state bank examiners.
Becker was ordered to forfeit property, including:
* 23689 Walnut Hollow Court, Jerseyville.
* Two condominiums in Osage Beach, Mo.
* A 38-foot boat, 2005 Donzi ZX.
* 2011 GMC Yukon Denali.
* 2008 GMC Sierra K1500.
* 2010 and 2006 Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
* Retirement account with Jersey State Bank.
* An investment account valued at $7,000.
She lived a lavish lifestyle and provided the same for family and friends off of the stolen money, prosecutors said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Norm Smith, who recommended 78 months in prison, said one side of Becker did some incredible things, such as contributing to charitable organizations, volunteering for many different boards of directors, children's groups and so on. The woman who embezzled millions of dollars was another side.
Richard Sindel, Becker's attorney, said after negotiating with prosecutors, he agreed to ask for the 63 months that Becker received.
Reagan called Becker's actions "completely inconsistent."
Janet Feyerabend, whose father and husband were on the board for many years, asked the judge to sentence Becker to the maximum 97 months in prison. She said the loss of the money threatens employment at the bank and people's retirement, including hers.
"That $4.5 million could have gone a long way toward building a new church, nursing home, hospital or school." she said.
"People like Susan Becker cannot get away with deliberately stealing millions of dollars and hurting the honest, hard-working people in our community," Feyerabend said.
