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Adria Marie Richard
A Jefferson County grand jury indicted a 41-year-old loan officer/teller from Port Arthur on Sept. 28, after investigators say the woman illegally lent approximately $122,000 to herself and family members over two years.
According to a probable cause affidavit penned by Detective Brian Cater of PAPD, Adria Marie Richard used her loan officer/teller supervisor position at Port Arthur Community Federal Credit Union to illegally disburse loans to herself and family – for a total of $121,992.30 – from about May 10, 2018, through about May 11, 2020.
“Richard misapplied the property and assets of the credit union, violating numerous policies and regulations, putting the Port Arthur Federal Credit Union at a substantial risk of loss of the property and assets,” reads the affidavit. “Richard disbursed about five loans for herself and family members and did not report these loans to the board of directors, as is required by credit union policies.”
Detective Cater reported that several of the illicit loans were for cars, but titles weren’t secured – another violation of regulations. Richard also allegedly manipulated payments for her loans and redirected payments to her advantage.
“In addition, Richard elevated her own credit limit on her credit union-issued credit card on two occasions and had another employee elevate her credit limit again, when her credit score did not qualify her limit to be raised,” reads the affidavit.
An outside consulting group estimated the total loss from Richard’s mendacity to be $121,992.30. As of press time, Richard’s name did not appear on the Jefferson County inmate roster.