S.J. bank manager pleads to embezzling $263,000

A former branch manager of a South Jersey bank today admitted she embezzled more than $263,000 from dozens of customer accounts.

Season Wengert, 32, managed the Newfield National Bank in Franklinville. According to federal prosecutors in Camden, Wengert transferred money from 38 accounts belonging to 23 customers and deposited it into accounts owned by her and her husband. She concealed the transactions by failing to note the fraudulent withdrawals in the customers' passbooks. When a customer tried to withdraw money from an account she had pillaged, Wengert would transfer money into it from another victim's account, federal prosecutors said.

In all, she stole $263,864 for her own use. Wengert faces a prison sentence of up to 30 years and a $1 million fine at her scheduled sentencing on Nov. 13. She will also be required to make full restitution.