Former Wheaton banker admits looting customers' accounts

A former suburban banker faces up to 15 years in prison after she admitted Wednesday pilfering more than $100,000 from customers who rarely checked their statements because they trusted her.

Amy R. Esposito, 41, of Wheaton, pleaded guilty to financial institution fraud.

She is a former operations officer/senior personal banker for Community Bank - Wheaton/Glen Ellyn.

Prosecutor Helen Kapas-Erdman said Esposito looted the accounts of at least seven customers for more than four years until her July termination. An internal bank investigation and audit began after an elderly customer's son spotted irregularities in his dad's account.

"She spent the stolen money to pay her own personal expenses, credit cards and for her two sons' orthodontia," said Kapas-Erdman, who head's the office's public integrity/financial crimes unit.

DuPage Circuit Judge Perry Thompson is expected to set a sentencing date at Esposito's next court appearance Sept. 3. Thompson may sentence her to either probation or four to 15 years in prison.

Esposito, who does not have a criminal history, began working for the bank in 1999 and was assigned to the Glen Ellyn location on Roosevelt Road.

Kapas-Erdman said Esposito stole more than $144,000. Customers were promptly notified and reimbursed, bank officials said in a written April statement after Esposito's indictment.

Esposito remains in DuPage County jail on a $500,000 bond. Her attorney, Michelle Moore, is expected to seek leniency. Moore said Esposito immediately cooperated with the investigation and restitution will likely come from her substantial 401(k) account.