Former Fifth Third VP convicted of conspiring to defraud bank, taking bribes

7/25/2014

A former loan officer and vice president at Fifth Third Bank in Toledo was convicted Friday of conspiring to defraud the bank and taking bribes from loan customers.

Paulette Roberts, 56, of Sylvania was convicted on all 44 counts against her in U.S. District Court following a two-week trial. The seven-man, five-woman jury deliberated less than three hours before returning guilty verdicts for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, bank bribery, and 41 counts of money laundering.

Roberts showed no emotion as the 44 verdicts were read.

Judge Jeffrey Helmick allowed her to remain free on bond pending sentencing, which he said would be “some months down the road.”

Roberts’ attorney, Catherine Killam, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alissa Sterling declined to comment afterward.