Ormond Beach bank employee accused of stealing $280,000+ from customers

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. — A former Ormond Beach police officer who worked at a bank is facing federal bank embezzlement charges after she allegedly stole money from customers.

Federal prosecutors said Maria Hayes worked for Wells Fargo and PNC Bank in Ormond Beach.

While at the banks, they believe she befriended customers, mostly elderly, and used their personal information to open or increase lines of credit.

Prosecutors said she added herself to the victims’ accounts and started taking their money.

Hayes accumulated more than $285,000 over a four-year period starting in 2007.

The case was originally looked at by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and then went federal.

An investigative report shows Hayes targeted one woman who was legally blind, and it shows she used the money to live a lavish lifestyle, spending $40,000 on motorcycle equipment and more than $10,000 for drinks and karaoke at the “Saints and Sinners” bar.

The report also shows around that time, she spent money at two different plastic surgery centers.

During the time she spent the money, her husband was an Ormond Beach police lieutenant.

Cox Media Group