NJ Citibank personal banker steals nearly $166,000 from client with dementia, buys Harley-Davidson motorcycle

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A New Jersey personal banker pleaded guilty on Wednesday to stealing thousands from a client suffering from dementia, prosecutors announced.

Juan Velez, 35, a former Citibank personal banker, pleaded guilty to grand larceny, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Court documents show that Velez exploited his position at a Lower East Side Citibank branch to access the account of a 79-year-old man with dementia. He set up fake electronic payment accounts in the customer’s name, transferring funds to himself. Velez used some of the stolen money to purchase a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and to pay off his personal credit cards.

The victim, who frequently visited the branch, often appeared confused about his finances. During the theft, Velez told his supervisor he spent extra time assisting the elderly customer because of his memory issues.

“Today, Juan Velez is being held accountable for abusing his position to steal from a 79-year-old man suffering from dementia,” Bragg said.

Velez is expected to be sentenced on Dec. 3 to six months in jail, followed by five years of probation. He will forfeit the motorcycle purchased with stolen funds and face a judgment order for Citibank.