West Virginia credit union embezzler gets nine years in prison

A West Virginia woman who used the federal credit union she managed "as her own personal piggy bank" was sentenced yesterday to nine years in prison and ordered to pay $4.6 million in restitution.

Bernie D. Metz, 57, of Valley Grove, who served as chief executive officer and manager of the Center Valley Federal Credit Union in Wheeling, admitted embezzling millions of dollars and using some of the money to pay for the construction of a restaurant and cabins that she and her husband own.

"She embezzled millions of dollars over the past 10 years and used the credit union as her own personal piggy bank," U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II said after Metz was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr. in Wheeling.

"Her opulent lifestyle has ended. Things will be different for Bernie Metz behind bars, and she will no longer enjoy the life of luxury to which she has become accustomed," Ihlenfeld said.

Center Valley has been declared insolvent. The National Credit Union Administration ordered it to be liquidated after an audit discovered that almost $9 million was missing.

Metz was ordered to forfeit the Roadworthy Tavern and Resort in West Liberty, $14,000 seized from various bank accounts and a number of vehicles.

Prosecutors agreed to forgo prosecution of her husband, Everett Metz, because of his cooperation in the effort to identify other assets and property subject to forfeiture.