Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Tennessee

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Clarksville Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Embezzlement

Former First Tennessee Bank Employee Admits Embezzling Funds from Elderly Customers

Eric Williams, 32, of Clarksville, Tenn., pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court, to one count of bank embezzlement, announced David Rivera, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

According to court documents, Williams was employed by First Tennessee Bank as a Financial Services Representative and later as a Credit Analyst, at a Nashville branch.  His duties included meeting with customers who were seeking to open new accounts.  Williams admitted that from 2013 to 2015, he embezzled more than $27,000 from customer accounts.   He carried out this scheme by targeting elderly customers and without their knowledge, used their information to open bank accounts and apply for ATM cards, changing the mailing address to the bank branch instead of the customer’s home.  When Williams received the ATM cards, he used them to withdraw money from the accounts. 

Williams faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million; forfeiture of criminal proceeds; and will be ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $27,387.  Williams will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger on June 24, 2016.   

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski.