Former bank employee pleads guilty to felony theft

Kelly M. Schweigert, 47, of Marble Hill, Missouri, pleaded guilty Monday to one felony count of theft steamming from her authorizing fraudulent withdrawals at the Jackson bank where she worked.

Schweigert originally was charged with seven counts of forgery and one count of theft. Prosecutors recommended five years probation with a suspended sentence. Sentencing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 22.

Schweigert admitted from March 31 through May 11, she honored seven withdrawal slips from a trust account at Regions Bank, 101 W. Main St. in Jackson.

She previously told a company investigator she approved the withdrawals for an elderly female trustee, whom Schweigert allowed to forge a male trustee’s signature, according to a probable-cause report from Jackson police officer Jason Wilhelm. The total amount withdrawn was $3,800.

“While you didn’t get the money, you participated in a misappropriation of funds?” Judge Benjamin Lewis asked.

Schweigert agreed.

Schweigert no longer was working for Regions Bank when charges were filed in September, according to the report.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

101 W. Main St., Jackson, Mo.