Ex-Bank Employee Pleads Guilty in Laundering Case
A former supervisor at a Security Pacific National Bank central storage vault pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court Wednesday to conspiring to launder supposed drug profits as part of an Internal Revenue Service sting operation.
Jose O. Lopez, 27, of Whittier, changed his plea during his trial on an indictment originally filed against Lopez, four fellow employees and two friends involving a scheme to launder money deposited at the bank’s central vault in downtown Los Angeles.
Lopez, along with his co-defendants who earlier pleaded guilty, face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing was scheduled May 21 before U.S. District Judge Robert Takasugi.
Asst. U.S. Atty. Thomas Bienert said Lopez became the target of an IRS sting last year after he allegedly offered to launder money for Terry Trupp, former mayor of South Lake Tahoe, who is charged with attempting to smuggle 220 pounds of cocaine.
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