A former St John’s Cooperative Credit Union employee has pleaded guilty to an elaborate loan payment scheme that exploited personal relationships and betrayed institutional trust.
Kerry Walker entered her guilty plea on Wednesday to two counts of larceny, bringing an abrupt end to what was expected to be a lengthy trial.
The Scheme
As the credit union’s delinquent loans officer, Walker misappropriated over $50,000 in loan payments between 2018 and 2020. The court heard that she:
- Accepted monthly loan payments from multiple credit union members
- Made partial payments or no payments on clients’ loans
- Manipulated system due dates to conceal delinquencies
- Failed to send standard notifications about arrears
Exploitation of Personal Relationships
The scheme particularly targeted individuals with whom Walker had close personal connections:
- The godfather to one of her children
- A teacher of Walker’s daughter who also served as godmother to one of her children
- A parent known through her child’s school
Discovery of the Fraud
The scheme was uncovered when Walker took maternity leave, leading to the discovery that multiple loans were significantly in arrears despite clients making regular payments. Red flags included:
- Clients never receiving receipts despite repeated requests
- Personal relationships being used to deflect documentation concerns
- Discovery of manipulated payment records
Case Resolution
The case concluded earlier than expected when Walker changed her plea to guilty before cross-examination of the first witness could begin. A third charge was withdrawn after one victim chose not to proceed with the case.
The former credit union officer is scheduled for sentencing on December 2, marking the end of a case that highlighted the vulnerability of financial institutions to internal fraud, particularly when personal relationships are exploited.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of proper documentation and verification in financial transactions, regardless of personal connections or trust relationships.
Wow. Apparently there is no one you can trust. No matter the level, no matter the title. Everyone is just trying to make it in life the easy way
@ Esther, you are so right…..she’s a heartless person anyone who can steal can kill. And those people are close connections to her
What a random statement to make, that anyone who steals can kill! Where did you get that notion from, and how does one crime relate to the other? .
If you said the heart of man is evil, that is true. But this crime seems opportunistic, not a career criminal choice.
It’s sad indeed, and I understand that she has a young baby too.
The Bible does say that these are the last and evil days, and that we should watch and pray.
Let’s lift up the nation of Antigua and Barbuda, and pray without ceasing for the leaderships and citizens.
Even persons in the institutions are stealing fr the poor. Wow isn’t this crazy to everyone.
The problem with some people is that they’re educated Donkeys- people who does these things are in my opinion- very stupid.- must be stupid to think they will get away with it – they always get caught..