Personal Banker Pleads Guilty to
Embezzlement
United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt
announced that Elizabeth Rubalcava pled guilty today
in federal court in San Diego to Embezzlement by a
Bank Employee in violation of Title 18, United States
Code, Section 656. Rubalcava entered her guilty plea
before Magistrate Judge Nita L. Stormes, subject to
final acceptance of the plea by United States District
Court Judge Janis L. Sammartino, at the time of sentencing.
As part of her guilty plea, Rubalcava admitted that
while she was a Personal Banker at the Bank of America,
1350 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, California, she
fraudulently submitted an Application for Collection
of Decedent’s Deposit Accounts and Certificate
of Death in order to receive the funds in the victim’s
estate accounts. Rubalcava admitted to knowingly and
willfully stealing $78,123.47 in that manner.
According to Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Davene
L. Finnel, who is prosecuting the case, upon learning
of the embezzlement, the Bank of America immediately
notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Rubalcava
was subsequently interviewed by law enforcement agents
and referred the case to the United States Attorney’s
Office.
Sentencing for Rubalcava is scheduled for July 18,
2008 at 9:00 a.m., before Judge Janis L. Sammartino.
DEFENDANT Case No.
08cr1319-JLS
Elizabeth Rubalcava
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Embezzlement by Bank Employee
Title 18, United States Code, Section 656
Penalties: Maximum 30 years in custody; Not more than
5 years of supervised release,
Maximum $1,000,000.00 fine
PARTICIPATING AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
