COO Of LI Credit Union Admits to Stealing Nearly $500,000

The former chief operating officer of a Long Island credit union pleaded guilty today to stealing nearly $500,000 from the credit union she ran to fund her lavish lifestyle, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Suzanne Silva, 35, of Carle Place, stole $465,172 while she was employed by the Winthrop University Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union. Silva is facing up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million, in addition to paying back the money she stole.

“Silva has admitted that she abused her authority as chief operating officer by stealing funds from the credit union for personal travel and shopping sprees,” said United States Attorney Richard Donoghue. “Today’s guilty plea sends the message that those who engage in such criminal conduct will be caught and prosecuted.”

According to Donoghue, between March 2011 and June 2018, Silva used her position t the credit union to transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars from operating accounts to accounts in her name, as well as accounts of family members. She used the money to take Caribbean cruises, travel to Cancun and make thousands of dollars worth of purchases. She was fired by the credit union in June 2018.