The U.S. Department of Justice announced that former TD Bank N.A. retail banker Leonardo Ayala was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for accepting bribes and facilitating the laundering of more than USD 5.5 million to Colombia. The case centers on Ayala’s use of his position at the bank to help move narcotics proceeds out of the United States. According to court documents, from June to November 2023 Ayala opened fraudulent accounts, issued more than 150 debit cards to shell companies, and unblocked debit cards that TD Bank had restricted because of suspicious activity. Those accounts and cards were then used for more than 12,000 ATM withdrawals in Colombia, funneling about USD 5.5 million abroad. In return, Ayala received more than USD 6,000 in bribes from co-conspirators. He had pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder monetary instruments and accepting bribes as a bank employee.
U.S. Department of Justice2026-06-10
U.S. Department of Justice secures two year prison sentence for former TD Bank banker in USD 5.5 million Colombia laundering case
The U.S. Department of Justice said a former TD Bank N.A. retail banker was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for accepting bribes and helping launder more than USD 5.5 million to Colombia. From June to November 2023, he opened fraudulent accounts, issued more than 150 debit cards to shell companies, and unblocked restricted cards, enabling more than 12,000 ATM withdrawals in Colombia.