FBI probes Logan, Ohio bank theft

Local law enforcement is referring a Logan bank embezzlement case to the FBI.This case began to slowly unfold in early May when a customer reported a banking error at Century National Bank. After an internal investigation, Manager Doug Wells notified Logan police of an internal theft on June 17. Following up on a news tip, The Logan Daily News requested the report last week and police made it available July 16.
Back in May, Wells examined the document presented by the customer and confirmed there appeared to be a discrepancy on the part of the bank. “There was a procedural error that also gave the appearance that monies were taken from an account without authorization,” states the police report. The bank staff later interviewed the individual who handled the transaction. Reportedly, the person’s answers were not always consistent. The Logan Daily does not print the name of a suspect unless that person has been arrested or charged, and at this time no one has.Century National Bank terminated the employee for failing to follow correct procedure. “A subsequent banking audit found that this employee might have been involved in additional unauthorized transactions,” according to the police report.The Logan Daily could not confirm the amount of money stolen, and Logan Police Chief Aaron Miller noted Monday, “A final figure is not there yet.” But Miller would say this: “With the amount taken, the services of the FBI were requested.” The FBI review is being conducted by an agent in the Athens office.Legally, if a person walks in off the street and “strong-arms” a bank (robs by physical force or coercion), taking any amount, it is a felony. However, if an employee takes money, up to $500, it is petty theft. Any amount above that is a felony, according to Miller.
FBI spokesman Special Agent Mike Brooks commented Monday, “All we can say at this time is that we received a referral from the Logan Police Department concerning a possible embezzlement at the Century National Bank in Logan.”Speaking in general terms, Hocking County Assistant Prosecutor Bill Archer said that if the FBI declines an embezzlement case on the federal level, there are theft provisions in the Ohio Revised Code that would allow a county to prosecute such a case.Century National Bank has 16 locations in Hocking, Athens, Perry, Muskingum, Coshocton and Tuscarawas counties. It is a division of The Park National Bank. Century National is a member of the FDIC, which provides basic insurance coverage for deposit accounts.Logan branch Manager Doug Wells could not be reached for comment.Beth Stillwell, marketing administrative officer for all of Century National’s banks, said, “We can’t share anything right now as there is an ongoing investigation.”
The FBI’s review of a Logan bank embezzlement case has become an official investigation.

“The FBI has opened an investigation based upon a referral from the Logan Police Department,” FBI spokesman Special Agent Mike Brooks said Monday. “The investigation does concern the Century National Bank.”In early May, a customer reported a banking error that led to an internal investigation. Century National Bank Manager Doug Wells then informed Logan police of the embezzlement in June. “There was a procedural error that also gave the appearance that monies were taken from an account without authorization,” states the police report.Century National Bank terminated an employee for failing to follow correct procedure. “A subsequent banking audit found that this employee might have been involved in additional unauthorized transactions,” according to the police report.The Logan Daily News is not printing the name of the suspect unless that person is arrested or charged, and at this time no one has.Brooks stated Monday that, per FBI policy, he cannot say what is being investigated in relation to Century National Bank. Neither Brooks, the Logan police nor the bank is saying how much money was stolen. At the time that the case was referred to the FBI, Logan Police Chief Aaron Miller said there wasn’t a final dollar amount tallied, but added, “With the amount taken, the services of the FBI were requested.”While the FBI involvement has now reached the status of an official investigation, it has yet to be referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. A spokesman there said Monday that the office was not aware of the case.Century National Bank has 16 locations in Hocking, Athens, Perry, Muskingum, Coshocton and Tuscarawas counties. It is a division of The Park National Bank. Century National is a member of the FDIC, which provides basic insurance coverage for deposit accounts.