Local credit union employee arrested and charged with depositing counterfeit checks worth more than $800,000

COLUMBUS, GA (WRBL) — A former Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) employee faces fraud charges after investigators say he deposited counterfeit checks worth more than $800,000 to himself and others. other co-conspirators.

The Columbus Police Department (CPD) began investigating Steven Verrett in February of this year.

CPD alleges Verrett used legitimate customers at his office as cover while he deposited counterfeit checks and opened fraudulent auto loans. According to police, these funds were intended for himself and several other co-conspirators.

The first five checks were worth a total of more than $800,000. They were reported stolen through the mail.

Further investigation identified at least eight NFCU accounts involved in the fraud.

Verrett was arrested Tuesday. He was taken to the Muscogee County Jail and charged with:

• Five counts of third-degree forgery
• Three counts of identity fraud
• Two counts of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception
• Theft by deception
• Counterfeit financial transaction card
• Computer intrusion
• Computer breach of privacy
• Computer counterfeiting

Additional charges are pending. Police expect further arrests in connection with this fraud investigation.

Verrett is scheduled to appear in the Recorder's Court at 9 a.m. Friday.