Credit union employee in California embezzled to promote herself on TikTok, feds say

A former assistant branch manager at a Tulare-based credit union was arrested Thursday and charged with embezzling more than $60,000 from several customers.

Esther Andrade Olson of neighboring Kings County had worked at the credit union since 2005 and had been promoted in 2019, according to a release from the Department of Justice, which did not identify the credit union by name.

Between July and August of last year, the 48-year-old is alleged to have made unauthorized withdrawals from the accounts of four separate members. In one case, she made seven withdrawals from one account, totaling $35,000.

At least some of the money was used to promote herself on TikTok, the Department of Justice said.

Olson resigned from her position at the credit union after being questioned about the transactions.

If convicted, Olson could face a much as 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.