Parsons woman sentenced for embezzling millions

A Parsons woman was sentenced Monday, March 5, to five years in federal prison for embezzling millions of dollars from a credit union where she worked, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. She was ordered to pay more than $10 million in restitution.

Nita Rae Nirschl, 66, Parsons, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, one count of money laundering and one count of attempted tax evasion. In her plea, she admitted the crimes occurred while she was an officer and employee of Parsons Pittsburg Credit Union headquartered in Parsons, Kan. She withdrew money from the assets of the credit union and deposited the money into accounts she controlled. She used the stolen money to buy a car, a house and other items.

McAllister commended the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.