Bank manager pleads guilty to more than $560K in theft

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A bank branch manager has pleaded guilty to stealing or attempting to steal more than $560,000 from a New Hampshire bank, instructing employees to open accounts in the name of deceased customers, and withdrawing money from them.

According to court document and statements, Kazi Pervez, 41, of Methuen, Massachusetts, took money from the accounts that exceeded the balances at the Santander Bank branch in Salem from 2016-2017 and used his authority to authorize overdrafts. Prosecutors also said Pervez identified inactive accounts of deceased customers and transferred money from them to accounts that he controlled.

Pervez, who pleaded guilty Monday as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 5.

A message seeking comment was left with his attorney.