Former bank worker charged with forgery, theft in trust account

A former bank worker in Marble Hill, Missouri, is facing counts of forgery after allegedly removing funds from a bank account without permission.

Kelly M. Schweigert, 47, is charged with seven felony counts of forgery and one felony count of theft.

Police went July 24 to Regions Bank, 101 W. Main St. in Jackson, after it was reported funds had been removed from a client's account without permission, and the client's signature had been forged on the withdrawal forms, according to a probable-cause statement filed by officer Jason Wilhelm.

The account was a family trust with two trustees -- a man and a woman -- who were designated to withdraw money. One of the trustees brought the suspicious withdrawals to the bank's attention, Wilhelm wrote.

All the account's transactions were verified but seven; all seven of those were completed at the drive-through window by Schweigert, Wilhelm wrote.

During an interview with a company investigator, Wilhelm wrote, Schweigert claimed the female trustee was elderly, and Schweigert always had allowed her to forge the male trustee's signature on the transactions.

Schweigert also claimed to know the woman well, though she was unable to identify her from a photo lineup.

In addition, surveillance footage revealed neither trustee was present during the times of the transactions.

The seven withdrawals range from $450 to $650 for a total of $3,800, according to the affidavit. The transactions took place between March and May, online court records show.

Schweigert is no longer employed at the bank, Wilhelm wrote. Her bond has been set at $12,000 cash or surety.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3646

Pertinent address:

101 W. Main St., Jackson, MO