A former bank manager and city council member from Northern Kentucky has pleaded guilty to federal charges after admitting to stealing more than $335,000 from customer accounts and local nonprofit organisations.
Reagan France, 36, worked as a branch manager at Home Savings Bank in Ludlow before resigning in late 2024. She had access to customer accounts through her role at the bank and was accused of carrying out the scheme between 2022 and 2024.
Who Is Reagan France?
France began working at Home Savings Bank as a teller in 2015 and became a branch manager in 2023, according to Local 12.
Before becoming the focus of a federal fraud case, she also served two terms on the Bromley City Council. In 2020, she reportedly won one of her elections by just one vote.
France resigned from the bank at the end of 2024.
5 Things To Know About The Case
1. France pleaded guilty to three federal charges
France appeared in US District Court in Covington on Thursday and pleaded guilty to bank fraud, theft by a bank employee and aggravated identity theft.
Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 13, 2027.
2. She allegedly stole from more than 20 customer accounts
As a bank manager, France had access to customer names, account numbers and other financial information.
A forensic investigation found that she embezzled money from more than 20 customer accounts between at least 2022 and 2024, according to Local 12.
3. Investigators found more than 100 unauthorised transactions
According to WCPO, France carried out more than 100 unauthorised transactions.
She allegedly transferred money from customers’ accounts into accounts belonging to herself or family members. She also forged withdrawal slips to make transactions appear as though customers had withdrawn the money themselves.
In other cases, she allegedly stopped payment on escrow refund cheques, issued replacement cheques for smaller amounts and diverted the remaining funds to cover earlier thefts.
4. More than $335,000 was misappropriated
France admitted to taking $107,893.04 through transfers and another $109,821 through cash withdrawals.
Including other losses, she admitted to misappropriating approximately $335,182.42, according to Local 12.
Investigators also found that she stole tens of thousands of dollars from two Ludlow nonprofit organisations where she volunteered.
5. France agreed to restitution and forfeiture
France agreed to pay at least $250,000 in restitution, with $173,712.81 already recovered.
She also agreed to a forfeiture judgment of $76,287.19.
The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, which must be served consecutively to any other prison sentence imposed.
What Officials Said
Kentucky Attorney General Coleman said the case highlighted the need for accountability when a bank employee abuses a position of trust.
“When a bank employee paid to protect customers’ money instead uses their position to steal from them, meaningful accountability is necessary,” Coleman said, according to WCPO.
Home Savings Bank president Stephanie Berry said the bank regretted what happened and remained committed to compensating those affected.
“We deeply regret that these incidents occurred and are fully committed to making things right for those affected,” Berry said.