Jackson Jambalaya

 Leigh Bridges took the Fifth Amendment in federal court this week although it is not known if she took a fifth.  The disgraced Bridges is the former President of the Jackson Area Federal Credit Union. The credit union accused her and her husband Chad of embezzling between $55 and 95 million.   

 Leigh became President of the credit union in 2021 after serving as CFO.  The President signed all financial statements and handled all account reconciliations for wire transfers.  The Board terminated Bridges after it uncovered the alleged embezzlement. U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan, III issued a temporary restraining order against the Bridges in May and froze all assets.  

The complaint claims Leigh Bridges doctored the books while looting her employer.  NCUAB alleged Leigh made bogus automated clearing house entries, wired large sums of money to her personal accounts as well as luxury retailers such as Tiffany's, and made fraudulent entries in the general ledger.  The couple used their share accounts at the credit union to further the alleged fraud.  

The parent credit union accused Leigh of making over $51 million in false entries in the couple's share accounts from 2015 to 2026.  (Read the complaint as it spells out in great detail how the money was spent.  Earlier post with copy of complaint and list of the loot.) 

Judge Jordan issued a preliminary injunction freezing the Bridges assets in July.  NCUAB is the trustee for the assets and is allowed to seize any asset it determines were purchased with stolen funds. 

Next up in the saga was a round of answers from the defendants . Chad and his attorney Thomas McCraney argued: 

 16. Defendant admits that he was generally aware of share accounts at JAFCU, that he was a “mere title holder” and that he did not exercise dominion or control over said share accounts. Defendant denies any involvement in or knowledge of the acts forming the basis of Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint.

Yvolle.  I know nothing.  

Leigh Bridges once again provided the excitement in this case . The defendant filed a motion to stay proceedings last week. Leigh claimed she met with federal prosecutors recently.  She agreed to waive indictment and accept a bill of information.  A bill of information is used when the defendant pleads guilty.  

Mrs. Bridges filed her own answer Monday.  The answer contains the usual denials and affirmative defenses.  However,  she exercised her right against self-incrimination in the answer: 

 Paragraphs 54 – 59 of the Amended Complaint seek answers that Defendant reasonably believes could later be used against her in a parallel criminal proceeding. Defendant therefore invokes her privileges under the Fifth Amendment and exercises her right against self-incrimination in response to the allegations contained in paragraphs 54 – 59.

Leigh claimed Fifth Amendment protection repeatedly throughout the answer.  Questions about Tina Frunez? Fifth Amendment.  Allegations about fraud? Fifth Amendment. Allegations of embezzlement? Fifth Amendment.  

It is clear federal prosecutors are working on the case as they prepare to render justice.   Unfortunately for the credit union, their efforts to recover any embezzled funds will be handcuffed until the criminal prosecution concludes.