Bank manager in Baton Rouge accused of embezzlement, bank fraud

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A bank manager in Baton Rouge was accused of embezzlement and bank fraud.

According to a release from United States Attorney Ronald Gathe Jr., a federal jury returned an indictment charging 53-year-old Eric Jason Schouest, of Plaquemine, with embezzlement and bank fraud. During his arraignment, Schouest pleaded not guilty to the pending charges.

Court documents state Schouest was a bank manager at a Regions Bank in Baton Rouge from 2010 to 2021. As bank manager, Schouest had access to customer accounts. Between 2020 and April 2021, Schouest is accused of using his position at Regions Bank to embezzle funds from customer accounts and deposit the money into a personal account. Schouest is also accused of sending false emails to other Regions Bank employees.

The release reports Schouest used some of the traceable fraudulent funds to make loan payments on things such as a house and car. This scheme cost Regions Bank over $250,000.

Embezzlement and bank fraud can carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million.

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