Former northern Kentucky bank manager pleads guilty to theft of over $300K

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A former northern Kentucky bank manager has pleaded guilty to a theft involving more than $335,000, officials say.

According to a release on Kentucky.gov, on Thursday, Sept. 10, 36-year-old Reagan France pleaded guilty to federal charges of bank fraud, theft by a bank employee and aggravated identity theft.

France’s sentencing hearing is set for January 13, 2027.

According to officials, France was a branch manager of Home Savings Bank in Ludlow.

From at least 2022 through 2024, officials say she “embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars through unlawful transactions on more than 20 customer accounts, including two nonprofits organizations where she volunteered.”

Officials say France “used the credentials of other bank employees and forged cash withdrawal slips to make the transactions appear legitimate.”

As part of her guilty plea, France has been ordered to pay restitution.

“When a bank employee paid to protect customers’ money instead uses their position to steal from them, meaningful accountability is necessary,” said Attorney General Russell Coleman. “I’m grateful for the incredible work of talented investigators and prosecutors to secure this outcome.”

“When customers place their hard-earned money in a bank, they have every right to expect that it will be protected by the people entrusted with handling it. This defendant betrayed that trust by using her position and access to steal from customers, including nonprofit organizations she volunteered to serve,” said Jason Parman, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This case demonstrates that financial crimes committed from a position of trust will be investigated and prosecuted, and those who exploit that trust for personal gain will be held accountable.”