3 Face Charges in Money-Diversion Case

Defense Department investigators arrested two federal employees and a third woman on suspicion of diverting money from a Woodland Hills credit card processing firm. Investigators said Carolyn Deruso, 60, a member of the clerical staff of the Defense Contract Management Command, recruited a co-worker, Wanda McClain, 31, and her own daughter, Lelani Deruso, 31, a former employee of the U.S. Office of the Comptroller, to use their personal bank accounts to receive thousands of dollars diverted from the firm. More than $31,000 was diverted from Superior Bank Card Services, which processes card transactions for retail merchants, into McClain’s account, according to the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Los Angeles County prosecutors have filed a complaint charging the three with grand theft, receiving stolen property and money laundering. The defendants could not be reached for comment. Dave Martin of the defense service’s Woodland Hills office said the inquiry is continuing.