POSTED: 5:28 pm EDT June 6, 2011

UPDATED: 5:43 pm EDT June 6, 2011

http://www.wtae.com/r/28148394/detail.html

PITTSBURGH -- A Coraopolis woman pleaded guilty Monday to taking part in a theft of almost $2.5 million that federal prosecutors say forced Pittsburgh's only minority-owned bank into insolvency.

Elexa Manos-Becton, 43, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and money laundering. She will be sentenced Sept. 29 by U.S. District Judge Alan Bloch.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hull said the woman learned of an accounting glitch at Dwelling House Savings & Loan in the Hill District that allowed her and others to steal money undetected, and they spent a lot on shopping and nightlife.

Manos-Becton also told the judge that she had addiction problems but is in recovery.

In a statement, the U.S. attorney's office wrote, "Manos-Becton opened a PayPal account and associated her DHSL bank accounts to the PayPal account. Using PayPal to initiate ACH transactions, she caused disbursements to be made from DHSL in amounts that far exceeded any balance she had in her accounts at DHSL. Those insufficient funds transactions were not rejected and reversed by DHSL personnel.

"The loss attributed to Manos-Becton is at least $907,652. Manos-Becton also was charged with money laundering transactions that used proceeds derived from the bank fraud for purchases."

One of her friends is awaiting sentencing. Another is facing charges along with Manos-Becton's son.

Manos-Becton and her defense attorney declined comment after Monday's hearing in federal court downtown.