Westport Women Charged With Embezzling From Bank

Two local women face charges for allegedly embezzling funds from the Westport Federal Credit Union following the conclusion of a police investigation and a forensic audit by the banking institution.

Suzanne Nowicki, 46, of 42 Hemlock St. was arrested this month and charged with embezzlement, the Westport Police Department announced this week. She worked at the bank from 2001 to 2018 and allegedly altered transactions in her own account for several years. An audit by Marcum Advisory and Consulting looked at transactions from 2014 to 2018. During that time, Nowicki allegedly embezzled over $19,000. Speaking with investigators, Nowicki allegedly stated she had fallen on hard times financially and "screwed up."

Rachel Gaudreau, 45, of 985 State Road was charged with forgery, uttering, and embezzlement. She worked at the credit union from 1995 to 2016. She allegedly stole a bank check in excess of $7,500, forged the check along with the signature of another employee then submitted the check to her credit card company to pay her bill. The anomaly was found when bank staff discovered they had no record of the fraudulent check, Westport Police said in a release. Gaudreau allegedly took steps to try to cover her tracks. Gaudreau allegedly told police she had no recollection of the fraudulent bank check.

Both women were arraigned in Fall River District Court. "Although the charges are similar, these individuals did not conspire together during the commission of their (alleged) crimes," the Westport Police Department said.

Police wrapped up their investigation on July 15.