§644 Banker Receiving Unauthorized Deposit of Public Money

Summary

If a person who is not allowed to hold government money knowingly takes public funds from a U.S. disbursing officer, a tax collector, or another U.S. agent—whether left for deposit, given as a loan (with or without interest), or given for something other than paying a U.S. debt—and then uses or converts any of that money for a purpose not allowed by law, they have committed embezzlement (stealing or misusing government money). They can be fined under federal law or fined up to the amount taken, or go to prison for up to 10 years, or both. If the amount taken is $1,000 or less, the fine can be up to $1,000 or jail up to one year, or both.