TOPEKA — A Meriden man has pleaded guilty to helping the former president of a Meriden bank steal from his bank. U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Michael Wurm, 49, pleaded guilty today to one count of aiding and abetting theft by a bank officer. Wurm admitted that in 2001 and 2002, he helped former Meriden State Bank president Scott Becker embezzle bank funds. During that time, Becker convinced the bank’s board to build a branch on Fairlawn Street in Topeka. Becker and Wurm concealed that Becker would be the undisclosed general contractor on the project, which is illegal. Wurm inflated billings for construction of the branch, allowing Becker to collect about $116,000 because of the inflated billings, Grissom said. Sentencing for Wurm is March 21. Becker was sentenced to five years in federal prison. Co-defendant Stephanie Smith will be sentenced Jan. 24.
Monday, Jan. 3, 2:30 p.m.
