Last 2 Suspects Caught in $70-Million Embezzlement Plot

Authorities on Thursday captured the last two of seven men charged in a wire transfer scheme that siphoned $70 million from the First National Bank of Chicago and attempted to transfer it to banks in Austria, authorities said.

The conspiracy was discovered before the suspects could withdraw the money, which was transferred illegally from the accounts of three of First National’s corporate customers, officials said.

U.S. Atty. Anton Valukas said authorities had filed charges of illegal wire transfer of funds against two First National employees, a third Chicago man and three men from Detroit. He identified Armand Moore, 30, of Detroit as ringleader of the failed scheme.

Four of the men were arrested late Tuesday or early Wednesday. A fifth, bank employee Gabriel Taylor, 27, has been charged but is cooperating with authorities.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Scott Mendeloff said the arrests of the last two suspects were made early Thursday in Detroit. He identified the two as Leonard Strickland and the Rev. Ronald G. Carson but said no further details were available.

Valukas said $70 million was transferred illegally Friday from the accounts of three of First National’s corporate customers: Chicago-based United Airlines, New York-based Merrill Lynch & Co. and Louisville, Ky.-based distiller Brown-Foreman Corp.