WICHITA, KAN. - A former banker from Great Bend appeared in federal court in Wichita Monday on charges including embezzlement, money laundering and making false entries in bank records, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Brian W. Harrison, 55, Great Bend, Kan., is charged with three counts of making false entries in bank records, 16 counts of falsifying loan and credit applications, two counts of embezzlement, and two counts of money laundering.

The indictment, which was unsealed today, alleges the crimes occurred while Harrison was a vice president and loan officer at Farmers Bank & Trust in Great Bend.

The indictment alleges Harrison made false statements to Farmers Bank to hide the poor performance of loans he made, approved and maintained. The false statements served to deflect questions from Farmers Bank about the performance of Harrison’s portfolio. The indictment alleges Harrison:

Falsified credit and loan applications without authority of the borrower.

Obtained loans based on false statements.

Refinanced or consolidated loans to hide problems with loan repayments.

Authorized loans in the name of a borrower without the borrower’s authority.

Instructed a borrower to dispose of loan collateral in a way that damaged Farmers Bank.

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