Ex-credit union official in CT gets prison for embezzlement. She had to pay back $254K.

A Beacon Falls woman who is the former president of a Waterbury credit union was sentenced to more than a year in federal prison this week for embezzling from the credit union, according to federal authorities.

Tara Kewalis, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to a total of 21 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, according to federal authorities.

Authorities, citing court documents and statements made in court, said Kewalis was president and CEO of Skyline Financial Federal Credit Union in Waterbury, and from about September 2016 to March 2021, when her employment was terminated, she “used her position to access the credit union’s accounting system to create fraudulent accounts, make fraudulent entries, and steal $254,532 in credit union funds.”

Kewalis paid $254,532 in restitution, but “may be required to pay additional restitution to reimburse expenses incurred by the credit union during the investigation and prosecution of this criminal matter,” federal authorities said in a statement.

Kewalis pleaded guilty on Dec. 7, 2022 to embezzlement by a credit union officer or employee, according to federal authorities. She has been in custody since July 17, as her bond was revoked after she was found to have violated conditions of her release, authorities said in the statement.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.