Ex-Norfolk bank teller embezzled $119K from elderly customer

by Brian Reese

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A former Norfolk bank teller has pleaded guilty after stealing $119,000 from an 85-year-old customer.

30-year-old Imani Monet Adams pleaded guilty on Tuesday to four counts of felony forgery and four counts of felony embezzlement in the case, the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney said.

“Ms. Adams committed a double breach of trust: First her duty to her bank’s elderly accountholder to safeguard her life savings, and second her duty to employer to act honestly and faithfully,” said Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi in a release. “We take the financial exploitation of our senior citizens and other vulnerable people seriously, and we will seek an appropriate prison sentence for Ms. Adams when the time comes.”

Prosecutors say Adams forged the victim’s name on withdrawal slips and withdrew cash from her account 16 times while working at a local bank in the JANAF area from late 2018 to early 2019.

When the victim eventually noticed the money was missing, the bank conducted an internal investigation, found Adams was the culprit and restored the full $119,000 to the victim’s account.

The commonwealth’s attorneys office originally secured 32 grand jury indictments in the case in early 2019, but the charges were reduced as part of a plea agreement. As part of the deal, Adams had to pay the full $119,000 in restitution to the bank.

Adams is expected to be sentenced in the case on October 18.  

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Ex-Norfolk bank teller embezzled $119K from elderly customer