Ex-TD Bank worker in U.S. charged with alleged money laundering to Colombia

globalnews.ca:

A former TD Bank employee in the U.S. is facing criminal charges for allegedly using their position at the financial institution to facilitate money laundering — the second time this year a former worker has been charged.

The indictment announced Wednesday appears to be connected to the massive anti-money laundering probe against the Canadian lender’s U.S. operations that resulted in a US$3-billion fine in October.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Leonardo Ayala, 24, was arrested and charged Tuesday on allegations he helped launder millions of dollars of drug trafficking proceeds to Colombia.

According to the indictment, Ayala worked at a TD Bank location in Doral, Florida, between February and November 2023.

Starting in June 2023, prosecutors say, Ayala allegedly assisted a money laundering network by issuing dozens of debit cards for accounts opened in the names of shell companies in exchange for bribes.

Those accounts were opened by another, unnamed TD Bank employee, according to the indictment.

“Those accounts were then allegedly used to launder millions of dollars in narcotics proceeds through cash withdrawals at ATMs in Colombia,” the DOJ said in a statement.

Ayala made his initial court appearance in Miami after his arrest, but is set to be prosecuted in New Jersey, whose attorney general also announced the indictment Wednesday. The allegations in the indictment have yet to be proven in court.

“We identified the activity, reported it, and cooperated closely with authorities in their investigation. We continue to actively support their efforts,” a TD spokesperson told Global News.

The charge Ayala faces, conspiracy to commit money laundering, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of