A former bank teller at First National Bank of Sallisaw was charged Oct. 26 with embezzling more then $83,000 from an account holder.

Sandra Sue Copeland, 53, of Sallisaw faces a felony charge in Sequoyah County District Court for allegedly stealing money from an account that belonged to David Burns. Burns had entrusted Copeland to use it to help him pay his medical bills.

Copeland supervised teller operations at 1720 E. Cherokee Ave. in Sallisaw. According to court records, between 1999 and 2007 Copeland may have stolen $83,367.36 from Burns’ accounts, which was set up at First National Bank.

Gregg Bigham, First National Bank Chief Executive Officer, said the relationship between Burns and the bank employee began as a result of their common church attendance and did not begin at the bank.

“Due to the personal nature of the relationship, Burns authorized Copeland to be the representative payee on his account. As representative payee on the account, Copeland was given full authority as an authorized signer,” Bigham said.

The bank fired Copeland and initiated an audit due to concerns from the Adult Protective Services. Investigators discovered transactions from 1999 through December 2007. The balance taken from Burns’ checking account equaled $53,668.77. A loan for $15,000 was also taken out of the account in Copeland’s brother-in-law’s name.

Bigham said the bank immediately took action to ensure the individual’s funds were protected from any further transactions of this nature, investigated past transactions, and notified the Department of Human Services.

According to the report, Copeland told Burns she would be the “perfect person to be his payee, but not to tell anyone; that it would make them mad.”

Burns told authorities that he did not tell for years. He said he became concerned that a great deal of his money was gone and he told an employee with Adult Protective Services who ordered the investigation.

According to the report, when Copeland realized the investigation was going on, she called Burns and asked him to go to the bank and sign a promissory note explaining how she would pay him back. Copeland allegedly came to the bank the next day upset and told Burns she made a mistake and she wanted the promissory note back.

According to Bigham because of the nature of the incident the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) will not cover the loss.

“FDIC insurance exists to protect customer funds if a bank were to fail. Due to the fact that Copeland was acting as a signer on the account due to a personal relationship with Burns, the bank’s FDIC insurance does not come into play. The bank has closed all internal investigations.  This is now a matter involving the State of Oklahoma,” Bigham said.

A warrant for Copeland was issued Oct. 26 and she turned herself in on Oct. 29. Copeland is currently free on bond and will be arraigned Thursday in Sequoyah County District Court in Sallisaw. Copeland’s lawyer, Dan George of Sallisaw, was unable to be reached.

Prosecuting attorney Sue Whitekiller said the state would be asking for $83,367.36 in restitution. She said if convicted Copeland could face up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.