The former bank teller at First National Bank of Sallisaw who was charged Oct. 26 with embezzling more then $83,000 from an account holder waived her preliminary hearing Thursday.

Sandra Sue Copeland, 53, of Sallisaw is facing a felony 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.

Defense attorney Dan George will be representing Copeland during her district court arraignment, which is set for 1:30 p.m. April 15.

Copeland supervised teller operations at the banks main office at 1720 E. Cherokee Ave. in Sallisaw. According to court records, between 1999 and 2007 Copeland may have stolen $83,367.36 from Burns’ account, 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 started an audit due to concerns of 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.

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. 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.

Prosecuting attorney Sue Whitekiller said earlier 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.