Former Credit Union Manager Sentenced to Three and a Half Years in Prison for Embezzlement

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced a former New Pilgrim Federal Credit Union (“NPFCU”) manager for embezzling funds from the credit union where he was employed, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.

U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor sentenced Philip Brian Topping, 42, of Birmingham, to 42 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Topping pleaded guilty to the charge in October 2022.

According to the plea agreement and in information provided during the sentencing hearing, Topping embezzled approximately $268,000 from NPFCU over a period of five years. Topping took these funds from the NPFCU ATM and a Teller Cash Drawer. Topping would also create fictitious expenses of various items to different general ledger accounts to cover shortfalls. Topping then used these funds for his personal benefit.

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the National Credit Union Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan S. Rummage prosecuted the case.