LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced charges Friday against the former president and CEO of Veterans Health Administration Credit Union for allegedly stealing $2 million.
Fuataina Afutiti, 50, of Westland, was charged with one count of receiving proceeds from a continuing criminal enterprise and one count of embezzlement from a credit union. She was arraigned Friday and released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.
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A financial background investigation into Afutiti was conducted after a routine audit revealed significant irregularities and cash shortfalls at the credit union.
Afutiti allegedly leased or bought several vehicles, including a 2013 Mercedes Benz. She also allegedly purchased a $100,000 motor home and used money embezzled from the credit union to finance personal vacations.
“For a person to take advantage of Michigan veterans, many of whom are disabled and on fixed incomes, to use the money to live a life of excess is despicable,” Schuette said. “These men and women gave so much to allow us the freedoms we have in this county, and anyone who takes advantage of that will face the consequences.”
According to the State of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services audit, the total loss for the credit union is $2,303,158.66. The credit union was made insolvent and closed as a result of the alleged embezzlement.