Taylor County woman admits to bank fraud

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Karen Kinsley, of Grafton, West Virginia, has admitted to taking out loans and opening accounts in bank customers’ names without their knowledge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Kinsley, age 46, pled guilty to one count of “Bank Fraud.” Kinsley admitted to originating several loans in bank customers’ names without their consent or knowledge, reopening closed checking and saving accounts without the customers’ knowledge, and used some of the loan proceeds for personal use and some for payments on other fraudulent loans. Kinsley committed the crime while she was a branch manager of the Clear Mountain Bank inside the Kroger store in Sabraton, Monongalia County from June 2014 to September 2017.

The government is seeking a money judgement in the amount of $170,219.19.

Kinsley faces up to 30 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.