3 U.S. Workers Arrested on Credit Card Fraud Charges

Three federal workers were booked on suspicion of theft, fraud and money laundering Wednesday in connection with an elaborate scheme to pocket money from a Woodland Hills credit card processing firm, authorities said.

Carolyn Deruso, 60, a Treasury Department employee, her daughter Lelani Deruso, 31, a Defense Department worker, and Wanda McClain, 31, also of the Treasury Department, will be arraigned today in Van Nuys Municipal Court, prosecutors said.

Investigators with the Defense Department and Secret Service arrested the women Wednesday at the Van Nuys Federal Building where they work.

The women, who are each being held in lieu of $51,256 bail, were charged by the Los Angeles district attorney’s office with one count each of grand theft of personal property, fraudulent use of access cards, receiving stolen property, computer access, fraud and money laundering.

If convicted on all counts, they face a maximum of five years in state prison and a $20,000 fine, the district attorney’s office said in a statement.

In the statement, authorities said Carolyn Deruso recruited McClain to help her divert money from Superior Bank Card Services of Woodland Hills.

The statement did not say how the alleged crimes were committed, and a spokeswoman reached late Wednesday could offer no further explanation.

The statement said McClain’s personal bank account was used to receive $31,000 from Superior Bank Card Services.

It also said Deruso recruited her daughter Lelani, whose bank account was used to receive $28,000.

The company processes point-of-sale credit card transactions for retail merchants and issues verification numbers allowing a sale.

In addition to the firm, the complaint alleges the defendants victimized MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Sleep Comfort Adjustable Beds.