A former bank manager from Plaquemine, Louisiana, Eric Jason Schouest, aged 53, has confessed to misappropriating more than $250,000 from customers to support his personal spending habits, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Schouest pleaded guilty to charges of embezzlement and bank fraud related to his role at a Regions Bank Plank Road branch. Prosecutors revealed that he abused his authority to unlawfully access customer accounts, manipulate account statuses, and transfer funds for his own gain. The embezzled money was utilized by Schouest to make substantial payments towards his home and vehicle debts.
“Beginning around 2020 and continuing until approximately April 2021, Schouest exploited his position at Regions Bank to siphon funds from customer accounts into his personal accounts,” stated the DOJ. He further attempted to cover his tracks by fabricating emails and forging documents, deceiving fellow bank employees. The DOJ confirmed that Schouest diverted more than $250,000 intended for Regions Bank customers.
In addition to a $1 million fine, Schouest faces a potential maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for each of his convictions, alongside supervised release.
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