EUGENE, Ore. — A former employee of Peak Credit Union — previously known as Northwest Community Credit Union — has been arrested in connection with an alleged scheme involving fraudulent activity tied to deceased credit union members accounts, according to Lookout Eugene-Springfield.
Eugene police arrested Teresa Lynn Margiotta, 50, on suspicion of 38 counts of first-degree forgery, along with additional complaints including first-degree aggravated theft, Lookout Eugene-Springfield reported. Prosecutors have identified 20 victims in the case and filed four counts of aggravated identity theft and four counts of first-degree aggravated theft in Lane County Circuit Court. Margiotta remained in custody as of Wednesday.
The suspected misconduct was reported by the credit union on Sept. 5, according to Lookout Eugene-Springfield, following a merger that rebranded Northwest Community Credit Union and TwinStar Credit Union as Peak Credit Union. The combined institution now operates 35 branches across Oregon and Washington.
Federal regulators have also taken action. NCUA permanently barred Margiotta in December from working at any federally insured financial institution, citing findings that she caused more than $230,000 in losses. Investigators allege she accessed dormant or deceased members’ accounts between August 2023 and February 2025, fraudulently issuing and reissuing checks for personal benefit.
Margiotta has not worked at the credit union since July 2025, and Peak Credit Union said it took immediate action after identifying irregular activity, including cooperating with law enforcement and regulators. The credit union stated that no member funds were compromised and that internal systems and controls were strengthened following the discovery, Lookout Eugene-Springfield reported.