Not only are some New
Not only are some New Yorkers criminals, they're just plain stupid.
The NYT reports today that around 4,000 members of the Municipal Credit Union are under investigation for purposefully overdrawing their accounts to the tune of $15,000,000 after the 9/11 attacks cut off Credit Union ATMs from their computer networks. So far, 66 people have been arrested and another 35 are being sought for arrest.
Rather than simply cut off the machines following the attacks, the Credit Union--knowing that many of its members were policemen, fire fighters and other critical City personnel--kept the machines running without being able to verify that those making withdrawals had the money in their accounts. The theft began almost immediately.
Of course, the Credit Union was able to keep track of every penny, including who withdrew it and when.
"One man, an employee of the Housing Authority, never had an end-of-the-month balance that exceeded $130, prosecutors said. 'Nevertheless, he made 53 A.T.M. withdrawals ranging from $20 to $300 each, and charged 101 Visa purchases using his M.C.U. A.T.M. card between September 19th and October 22nd,' according to [Manhattan district attorney] Morgenthau's press release.
It continued: 'The purchases were at stores including Foot Locker, Jimmy Jazz, Joy Joy Jewelry, Bronx BBQ, Hot Booz Liquor and the 216th Street motel.'"
People who responded to the Credit Union's demands for repayments were given the opportunity to convert their negative balances into loans with deferred payment schedules.
Imagine! "You stole money from us. We know you stole money from us. Here, let us turn it into a loan for you."
I have to say that in terms of sheer schmuck-value, these folks beat the recovery workers who stole watches from the Cartier store in the mall beneath the WTC. Handily.
