Woman spends $2.3 million mistakenly sent to her account

A former employee at credit union has been given until December 20 to repay her former employer approximately $2.3 million which she allegedly spent after it was accidentally transferred to her account.

The 39-year-old woman pleaded guilty to simple larceny when she appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday. The court heard that the error went unnoticed for nearly a month after her resignation.

Representatives of the institution told the court that when the former employee was contacted and told to return the money, they were told that the money was already spent.

"She admitted that she received the funds and had the intention to return the funds. However, she is not in a position to return all of the funds at this time," the representative said.

Despite claims by the former employee's attorney that partial repayments had been made, the representative challenged the assertion.

"The funds have not been returned," they insisted, adding that while $400,000 was sent to the credit union's account, that amount was to settle a loan owed by the former employee.

Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell questioned the former employee about her actions. "Yuh spend people money?" the judge asked bluntly.

The former employee's attorney suggested involving a probation officer to help work out a repayment plan, but Burrell rejected the idea, stating, "I am not in support of that plan. But she needs to pay back the money."

The woman has been given until December 20 to repay the full amount.