Credit Union Chief Busted

WHEELING - Federal prosecutors believe $5 million of the $9 million missing from a failed Wheeling credit union can be traced to Bernie D. Metz, the financial institution's former chief executive officer.

U.S. marshals arrested Metz, 56, of 279A McCoy Road, Valley Grove, on Tuesday and seized six vehicles, three bank accounts and one parcel of real estate. Marshals also seized the Roadworthy Restaurant and Tavern in West Liberty as part of the ongoing investigation into the failure of Center Valley Federal Credit Union.

U.S. Attorney Sharon L. Potter said federal marshals arrested Metz on a criminal complaint charging her with embezzlement.

An affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint stated there was probable cause to believe Metz, former CEO and manager of Center Valley Federal Credit Union, misappropriated money from the credit union and diverted the proceeds to benefit herself, her husband, her children, and companies controlled by Metz and her husband.

Metz appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate James E. Seibert, who released her on a $1 million personal recognizance bond.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McWilliams told Seibert "$5 million of the $9 million missing from the credit union can be traced to Bernie D. Metz."

As part of her bond, Seibert ordered that Metz cannot obtain a passport, that her travel is restricted to the northern district of West Virginia and to the western district of Pennsylvania to meet with her attorney, and she cannot transfer any assets or make any transactions involving $1,000 or more without permission of the court.

Potter - who said a conviction could result in 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine - said the credit union is insured by the National Credit Union Administration Board.

Member Comments

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outofhand
07-23-09 1:10 PM »Report Abuse	Getaclue there was no escalade or lexus try a toyota and a benz
Captain
07-23-09 10:12 AM »Report Abuse	I thought Roadworthy's food was crappy. Nicely designed and furnished place, but the food was substandard. Oops, did I go off-topic?
GETACLUE
07-23-09 9:12 AM »Report Abuse	This woman spent money like she had a machine printing it in her home. TOP SHELF EVERYTHING, from the Cadillac ESCALADE that her son drives to the Lexus her daughter in law drives. The furnishings in the cabins at the Road Worthy are also top shelf. To feel sorry for her is wrong she made this bed and her immediate family knew and participated right along with her. SHE SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY ONE CHARGED. Maybe the FEDS should look into bringing a RICO charge.
HercX007
07-23-09 12:04 AM »Report Abuse	creeklady - I feel bad for the employees, I really do. However, to leave the restaurant open for business gives the public the impression that it's OK to continue with business as usual. It should stay closed until these issues are finalized. I have eaten there and I can tell you that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I would rather drive the extra miles to eat elsewhere because honestly the food was LOUSY! I think its very sad because I know the family VERY well and they have been very good to me over the years. I think its a shame that she felt she had to go this route and involve all the people she did. It's a shame. I for one will be praying for all of them regardless of what anyone else thinks. I will also keep everyone else affected by this in my prayers as well. They need answers and peace of mind as well as closure.
somguy
07-22-09 9:51 PM »Report Abuse	This is truly a horrible thing that she has done and if she is found guilty she should pay the pentalty that the judge or a jury of her peers see fit. But, to all of you think that "she's a piece of sxxx" or want her "burned at the stake." Rememember that i life we must all pay for our bad behavior and "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7
ChipCarte
07-22-09 9:42 PM »Report Abuse	hard earned
ChipCarte
07-22-09 9:41 PM »Report Abuse	she's a piece of sxxx and hope they put her away for good. Shes no differnent then someone robbing you at gun point. She was living high on the hog on other peoples harn earned dollor.
kmd0302
07-22-09 8:25 PM »Report Abuse	No Bernie Metz isn't a monster just greedy and look what greed has done to her and her family. Now she knows what it feels like to have nothing just like the people who had nothing until the FDIC came along and gave them back their hard earned money.Yes a person is innocent until proven guity well seven vehicles, numerous pieces of property, and three bank accounts and God knows what else will turn up is enough proof to me. Did she think of her employees of the resturant? Worse yet they won't get their final paychecks-more people hurt! If she is smart she should plead guilty to keep more people from getting hurt--- HER FAMILY
creeklady
07-22-09 7:46 PM »Report Abuse	I hope the gov. has considered putting Roadworthy Res. and Cabins into a receivership and running it until this case is resolved. If guilty, there is a working asset to be sold, if innocent, there is a business to be returned. plus, employees get to keep their jobs and people enjoy a good meal.
outofhand
07-22-09 5:07 PM »Report Abuse	Sorry for all the typing errors in my last comment!!!
outofhand
07-22-09 5:05 PM »Report Abuse	good4u- i don't really understand that last comment. And to be honest I am not defending anyone if that is what you think, I think any of the family members that get on here and look at the statements made have to expect it. Even if is is "innocent" as CEO of a credit union why was she not better protecting our money. I she was that innocent how did that much money disappear from that credit union and her not know where it was? I don't believe that the Feds come in and seize your property like that if they don't have some hard evidence. Its called ---- denial!
good4u
07-22-09 4:49 PM »Report Abuse	outofhand - Where do you think ur lipsticked female pit bull got all of her lipstick and clothes?
GoldenArm
07-22-09 4:28 PM »Report Abuse	Dang, cut the girl some slack. She is rightfully upset.
good4u
07-22-09 4:28 PM »Report Abuse	Rockledge should be banned from this site for using the word ( actually its not even a word)' fellers' ! You cant w i k i "fellers".
working
07-22-09 3:28 PM »Report Abuse	"Out of hand" 1970 Volkswagen Kharmann Ghia. I don't know what a CP is. probably "coupe" The olive green car was not a convertable. It was a roll back rag top. 62'
TheRealityPolice
07-22-09 2:39 PM »Report Abuse	Saw the confiscated vehicles sitting at the 26th street State Police barracks - on the way to Lowe's. Car carrier, etc. (Earlier today)
TheRealityPolice
07-22-09 2:36 PM »Report Abuse	MetzsNiece 10:22 AM "Thank you truthseeker. I am glad there is atleast one person out there who still has compassion for others." This is rather funny. ALL OF THE REST OF THE WORLD are mean, heartless creeps. COMPASSION has nothing to do with this story, period. There is not supposed to be any compassion used in a court of law (contrary to what Sotomayor tells you) - it is based on solid evidence. Justice is BLIND. It is not difficult to follow the money once the Feds begin to sniff the trail. I am sorry the family has to go through this, but it was brought on by themselves and they have to deal with the consequences. The rest of us who play by the rules do not have to worry about being dragged through the media, I guess. And yes - politics are irrelevant here too.
TheRealityPolice
07-22-09 2:27 PM »Report Abuse	PCGS70 9:15 am "The credit union closed 2 or 3 months ago. The only thing that was reported was it's closing. What took so long for the details of the story to hit the paper." The indictment was only published online last night.
TheRealityPolice
07-22-09 2:06 PM »Report Abuse	(Cross posting from 1st article - I am behind the chatter, I guess!) This has nothing to do with "how nice or generous" a person is. It has EVERYTHING to do with greed, and living a lifestyle far above your means. Vehicles were bought and given to Bernie and her husband; and both her kids. I see there are 2 credit cards - one in her husband's name ONLY and one in Eric's name ONLY - and pymts to these CC's were made from the CVCU operating acct. (This is from the indictment.) SO - does this make them co-conspirators? The other issue is that it was going on back as far as 2007, so likely had become a habit. How there could be no checks and balances for so long befuddles me. Regular banks require their executives to take mandatory time off every so often, so any potential monkey business can be averted. Is it the same with credit unions? Did the board of CVCU implement such a policy?
KYLIEJO
07-22-09 1:39 PM »Report Abuse	WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF OURSELVES...YA RIGHT..YOU SHHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT YOU HAVE AN AUNT LIKE THAT... SHE'S THE ONE THAT TOLD EVERYBODY TO TAKE A DEEP BREATHE AND COUNT TO 2.. SHE'S THE ONE THAT NEEDS TO TAKE HE DEEP BREATHE... SHE SCREWED EVERYBODY...
Highland
07-22-09 1:31 PM »Report Abuse	Gee, I hope newspaper staff are reading these comments. Looks like some additional info with which they could do a followup story.
outofhand
07-22-09 1:16 PM »Report Abuse	Nice VW CP. It was an olive green volkswagon bug convertible restored and very nice. She bought if for her son.
outofhand
07-22-09 1:14 PM »Report Abuse	Why do you people get so defensive over people being upset with her using stolen money for campaign funds. I am not blaming the democratic party for this happening. However, I can sit here and let you know that I am a proud Republican and it upsets me that some of MY stolen money could have been used toward campaign funds for someone that I am particularly not fond of and do not support. However, I do not think it was a liberal conspiracy. It all goes back to people needing to vent because they feel like they have been wronged, let us vent.
AlexanderShulgin
07-22-09 1:12 PM »Report Abuse	1970 Volkswagen CP?????
sbrown3318
07-22-09 1:10 PM »Report Abuse	MetzsNiece...are you kidding me? No Bernie is no monster and you never think about the family and what they are going through. Many of us have hardships.....you don't see us riding around in a Benz! Get a grip. They have evidence! The Metz family have created a lot of hardships for the young staff they employed....should they go out and steal millions? Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Yes........

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