Former bank manager pleads guilty to theft

EPHRATA — A former Granco Federal Credit Union branch manager pleaded guilty to stealing more than $50,000 from his bank.

EPHRATA - A former Granco Federal Credit Union branch manager pleaded guilty to stealing more than $50,000 from his bank.

Evan Jones, 56, Ephrata, pleaded guilty to theft in the first degree after admitting to inflating his paycheck and vacation time.

Ephrata police learned about the crime after responding to a report Jones planned to kill himself, according to a police report. Police discovered a noose and a suicide note inside the house and Jones on the lawn.

When police asked why Jones intended to kill himself, the former bank manager admitted to stealing from the company and believed the bank's board of directors were holding a meeting about him, according to the police report.

Jones added $1,000 to $2,000 a month to his paycheck between February 2009 until December 2009, costing the company $26,500, according to the police report. He also added $25,226 in vacation time to his paycheck without deducting it from his accrued time off, and cashed out 120 hours of vacation time he hadn't earned.

The former branch manager told police he stole the money because his credit cards were over extended.

Prosecutor Angus Lee stated Jones pleaded guilty to the aggravating circumstance of abuse of trust allowing the judge to sentence Jones higher than the 90-day maximum he would normally have.

"As he has no criminal history, the standard sentence range for Jones was zero (to) 90 days in jail upon conviction," Lee stated. "The defense has agreed to accept the prosecutor's recommendation of a 12 month jail sentence."

The prosecution is asking Jones to repay the money he took, Lee stated. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 31.