BOSTON (AP) – A former branch manager at a Boston bank has been sentenced to 25 months in prison for embezzling over $100,000 from customer bank accounts. Nathan Wadsworth, 32, of Syracuse, N.Y., admitted to one count of bank fraud in June 2023.

From June 2020 to November 2021, Wadsworth worked as a branch manager for PNC Bank in Boston. During this time, he took advantage of his position to identify dormant accounts belonging to foreign account holders. He transferred the funds from these accounts to a new account under the customers’ names and subsequently diverted the money to his own personal accounts, totaling approximately $121,000.

The stolen funds have since been repaid to the affected customers by PNC Bank. As part of his sentence, Wadsworth has also been ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution and forfeiture in the amount of $121,000.

The announcement of Wadsworth’s sentencing was made by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division. The government’s investigation was aided by the cooperation of PNC Bank. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit handled the prosecution of the case.

Wadsworth’s actions highlight the importance of safeguarding customer accounts against fraudulent activities. Instances of bank fraud can severely impact individuals’ finances and erode trust in the banking system. Efforts to detect and prevent such crimes remain crucial in ensuring the security of banking institutions and their customers.

In conclusion, a former branch manager at a Boston bank has been sentenced to 25 months in prison for embezzling over $100,000 from customer bank accounts. Nathan Wadsworth used his position to identify dormant accounts belonging to foreign account holders, transferring the funds to his own accounts for personal use. The stolen funds have since been repaid, emphasizing the need for robust safeguarding measures within the banking industry.