Former head teller pleads guilty to bank embezzlement in Tennessee

Kaley Gregory, 29, of Gallatin, Tennessee, pleaded guilty Jan. 3 to one count of bank embezzlement, said David Rivera, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

At the plea hearing, Gregory admitted that from 2009 until May 2013, while employed as the head teller of the Gallatin branch of Volunteer State Bank, she embezzled more than $264,000 from the bank and converted this cash to her own use.  Gregory also admitted making false entries into the bank’s computer system in order to conceal her embezzlement and to manipulating bank audits to conceal the shortfall of cash resulting from her scheme.  Gregory further acknowledged using a relative’s bank account to disguise the source of embezzled cash which she ultimately deposited into her own personal bank account and used for retail purchases, travel and paying bills.

After accepting Gregory’s plea, U.S. District Judge Todd J. Campbell scheduled a sentencing hearing for March 21.  Gregory faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $1,000,000.  In addition, Gregory will forfeit the proceeds of her embezzlement and any property derived from these proceeds.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Abely.