Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Joshua Latman, 43, of West Reading, PA, was charged today by indictment with distributing and possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The Indictment alleges that on June 9, 2013, Latman distributed child pornography, and on August 13, 2013, Latman possessed child pornography.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years of imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives Office, and the Lower Heidelberg Township Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah L. Grieb.

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Daniel Connelly, 28, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by indictment with committing four bank robberies, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The indictment alleges that on June 14, 2014, Connelly robbed the 3rd Federal Bank, at 2601 Orthodox Street, in Philadelphia, and stole $1,625; on June 19, 2014, he robbed the Republic Bank, at 7300 Frankford Avenue, in Philadelphia, and stole $940; on June 24, 2014, he attempted to rob Viriva Community Credit Union, at 7346 Frankford Avenue, in Philadelphia; and on June 24, 2014, Connelly robbed the Wells Fargo Bank, at 9101 Roosevelt Boulevard, in Philadelphia, and stole $830.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 80 years of imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah L. Grieb.

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Felicia Anne Straub, 41, of Easton, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, was charged Tuesday by information with three counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of tax evasion announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The information alleges that between September 5, 2006, and December 26, 2010, Straub as the former office manager of Financial Adjuster’s, Inc. misappropriated FAI funds of at least $561,579.39, which she used for personal purchases of goods and services, and to pay her husband’s personal credit card, at various locations throughout Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.

If convicted of all charges, Straub faces a maximum sentence of 67 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of two years in prison that must run consecutive to any sentence imposed on the tax and wire fraud counts, 3 years supervised release, a $500 special assessment, and a $750,000.00 fine.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, and the Whitehall Township Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kishan Nair.

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment or Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – A federal jury today delivered its verdicts against seven defendants charged in a ticket fixing conspiracy involving the former Philadelphia Traffic Court.  Jurors found three defendants - Michael Lowry, Robert Mulgrew, and Thomasine Tynes – guilty of committing perjury before the federal grand jury and defendant Willie Singletary guilty of lying to the FBI when questioned about ticket fixing at Traffic Court. Three defendants – Michael Sullivan, Robert Moy, and Mark A. Bruno – were found not guilty.

Co-defendants H. Warren Hogeland, Kenneth Miller, Fortunato Perri, William Hird, and Henry P. Alfano previously pleaded guilty.  

“We respect the jury’s verdict in this case and will continue our efforts to root out corruption in Philadelphia and this district,” said United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. “We are pleased that the jury convicted these former judges of the serious offenses of lying under oath and lying to the FBI.”

Sentencing hearings have not yet been scheduled.  Each defendant faces a maximum possible statutory sentence of not more than five years and/or a fine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Denise S. Wolf and Anthony J. Wzorek.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – Christian Dior Womack, a/k/a “Gucci Prada,” 30, of Chester, PA, pleaded guilty today to all counts in connection with sex trafficking females for prostitution.  Womack decided to plead guilty during jury selection.  He operated a prostitution venture, in Philadelphia and elsewhere, recruiting young females, one of whom was a minor, to work as prostitutes. He also engaged in acts of physical violence, coercion, and threats of physical harm to maintain the participation of the females. He pleaded guilty today to sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking by force.

Charged with Womack was Rashidah Brice, a/k/a “Camille,” a/k/a “Milly,” 24, also of Chester, PA.  As part of their venture, Womack and Brice allegedly created internet advertisements in which they advertised these females as available for purchase for purposes of prostitution.  The advertisements featured pictures of the females scantily clad, and provided a phone number to call to arrange a meeting with the females. Brice previously pleaded guilty.

A sentencing date for Womack has not yet been scheduled.  A sentencing hearing for Brice is scheduled for August 21, 2014.  Both defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, five years of supervised release, and possible fines.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Philadelphia Police Department Special Victims Unit, and the Tinicum Township Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Morgan and Melanie Babb Wilmoth.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Jamal Charles, 19, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by indictment with the attempted armed robbery of a check cashing business, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the indictment, Charles walked in to the ACE Cash Express, on Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia, on May 27, 2014, and ordered an employee, at gunpoint, to open the store safe. Police arrived before Charles could get away. In addition to attempted robbery, Charles is charged with possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  

If convicted of the charges, Charles faces a maximum sentence of life with a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison. He also faces up to five years of supervised release and a possible fine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ewald Zittlau.

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Richard Haines, Jr., 60, of Lancaster, PA, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography and enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct so that he could take pictures of the conduct and with possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty on September 4, 2013.  Haines took photos of a female relative in various stages of undress.  He also, while on bail awaiting sentencing, tried to influence the victim to testify on his behalf at sentencing. His bail was revoked and he has been in custody since October 10, 2013.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge James Knoll Gardner ordered restitution of $9338, a $10,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release and a $200 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – James Mickens, 30, of Philadelphia was sentenced today to 11 years in prison for his participation in a large scale drug organization.  Between February 2010 and July 2011, Mickens, a former US Airways baggage claim handler at the Philadelphia International Airport, used his Airport secured access card to smuggle hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds through the Airport, in order to avoid detection by law enforcement.  Further, Mickens made multiple trips to Los Angeles, California for the drug organization, where multiple kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of pounds of marijuana were purchased and transported back to Philadelphia as checked luggage.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Gene E. K. Pratter ordered five years of supervised release and a $200 special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, and the Philadelphia Police Department.  It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Marston.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – A second superseding indictment was filed today charging William Bucci, 57, of Philadelphia, PA, with running an investment fraud scheme that duped victims into turning over more than $3.2 million, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the indictment, Bucci told his victims he was starting a wine and high end olive oil import business. Among his one dozen victims was a Catholic Priest.  The indictment charges securities fraud, four counts of mail fraud, one count of mortgage fraud, and an additional count of making and subscribing false federal income tax returns. A previous indictment charged Bucci with four counts of making and subscribing false federal income tax returns for underreporting his income for the tax years 2007 through 2010.

According to the indictment, beginning as early as 2004, Bucci represented to his brokerage clients-victims that he was starting a business to import high end olive oil and wine from Italy. But Bucci, who was a licensed stockbroker and a non-lawyer elector on the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline, never had an olive oil and wine business. He allegedly promised the clients a rate of return of at least 10% on their investment.  He also falsely guaranteed to the investors that he would repay principal and interest.  Bucci also allegedly solicited other individuals to loan him money for the purchase of real estate.  According to the indictment, Bucci used funds from these individuals to support his lifestyle and to make payments to earlier victims. In total, the indictment alleges that victims entrusted in excess of $3.2 million to Bucci between November 2003 and December 2011.

 The indictment further alleges that Bucci filed false federal income tax returns, underreporting his income, for the tax years 2007 through 2011. It is further alleged that, in 2012, Bucci provided false documents to Beneficial Mutual Savings Bank in connection with a mortgage that Beneficial held on a property that Bucci owned in Brigantine, New Jersey.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 145 years in prison, restitution, a fine of up to $8.25 million, and up to five years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Ignall.

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – Dorian Parsley, 44, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy, solicitation of a bribe, and honest services fraud in connection with a scheme to give an unfair advantage to certain tow truck operators.  Between February 2011 and December 2013, Parsley, a former Philadelphia Police Department (“PPD”) dispatcher, used her position to provide confidential police information, such as locations of automobile accidents, locations of PPD squad cars, and vehicle registration information, to tow truck operators who provided her with cash bribe payments. She typically received $100-$200 per week for the information.  She agreed that she received $35,400 in bribes.

Parsley would surreptitiously text information that came into PPD dispatch from her personal cellphone directly to those tow truck operators.  For an additional cash fee, Parsley agreed to provide certain tow truck operators with the name and address of a vehicle owner by running the license plate and vehicle registration through the PPD dispatch computer.  PPD computers automatically access the National Crime Information Center (“NCIC”) located in West Virginia when a vehicle registration was inputted, thereby affecting an interstate wire.

Co-defendant William Cheeseman also pleaded guilty today to one count of bribery for paying Parsley cash bribes for the information on accident locations.  He agreed that the value of the information he received was $9,000.

Parsley faces a potential statutory maximum penalty of 35 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $750,000 fine, and a $300 special assessment.  Cheeseman faces a potential statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.  The court scheduled Parsley’s sentencing date on October 21, 2014 and Cheeseman’s on October 24, 2014. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chun Barry.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

An information was filed today charging Blake Rubin, 30, of Huntington Valley, PA, Chase Rubin 28, of Rydal, PA, and Justin Diaczuk, 31, of Philadelphia, PA, with running a multi-million dollar telemarketing scam, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the information, the defendants duped more than 70,000 people into buying what they falsely marketed as a general-purpose credit card that customers could use to buy merchandise over the internet and improve their credit. They were charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and mail fraud.  The Rubin brothers were also each charged with a second count of mail fraud count, and Chase Rubin was also charged with wire fraud.

According to the information, the Rubin brothers began selling the “Platinum Trust Card” in February 2009 from a telemarketing call center in Jenkintown, and Diaczuk opened a second call center in Philadelphia in January 2010.  In 2011, the defendants changed the name of the card to the “Express Platinum Card.” At both call centers, the defendants allegedly directed telemarketers to contact people with bad credit and read from scripts designed to trick those people into paying approximately $79.95 to become the owner of an essentially worthless card.  Instead of being a general-purpose credit card, the Platinum Trust Card could be used only on one website and, even there, it did not enable its owner to buy anything entirely on credit.  Moreover, buying or using the cards had no impact on an owner’s credit rating.

The defendants allegedly operated the two call centers until January 2012, when the Federal Trade Commission obtained a federal court order shutting them down.  In total, the defendants’ fraud amounted to $7.5 million.

If convicted, Blake Rubin faces a maximum possible sentence of 45 years in prison, a $750,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment.  Chase Rubin faces a maximum possible sentence of 65 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment.  Diaczuk faces a maximum possible sentence of 25 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark B. Dubnoff and Joel Sweet.

Click here to view the indictment

An information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Jason Jenkins, 32, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by information with threatening to murder a former federal official on April 13, 2014, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arlene Fisk.

Click here to view the indictment

1An Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Lavine Jones, 38, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by indictment with escape from Liberty Management Service Residential Reentry Center, located at 1007 Lehigh Avenue, Philadephia, on November 27, 2013, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and $100 in special assessments.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the United States Marshals and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arlene Fisk.

An indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Heather Murphy, 23, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was charged today by indictment with one count of concealing a fugitive, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. 

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the United States Marshal and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurie Magid.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – Kenneth Narzikul, 59, of Media, PA was charged today by information with major fraud against the United States, obstruction of audit, and making false claims to the government, in connection with operation of his business, NP Precision, Inc., a machine tool business located in Folcroft PA. .

According to the information, Narzikul was President and 85% owner of NP Precision, responsible for all aspects of NP Precision’s business, which included contracting with federal agencies to produce critical hardware components used in military helicopters and other aircraft.  The information charges that as early as 2007, Narzikul began misusing progress payments on contracts with the United States, by failing to pay subcontractors and requesting progress payments under the contracts for costs that NP Precision had not actually incurred, and without the intention of using the progress payments for the costs and contracts at issue, in violation of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).  The information charges that Narzikul schemed to fraudulently divert and steal approximately $1.2 million in progress payments that the United States paid NP Precision under two contracts to produce drive shaft couplings for the U.S. Army helicopter Model CH-47, commonly known as a Chinook helicopter. Consequently, it is alleged that the United States received a very belated and many times incomplete product, far later than required under the delivery schedules.  According to the information, Narzikul made false statements and caused others at NP Precision to make false statements to government auditors, and made false claims to falsely reflect progress on numerous Army and Air Force contracts and to continue to receive progress payments from the United States.  The information charges that, at the direction of Narzikul, NP Precision used the diverted funds to pay outstanding obligations on other contracts and other business and personal expenses of the defendant and his family.

“The fraud alleged here was uncovered by the diligent efforts of our agents along with our federal law enforcement partners,” said Frank Robey, Director of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit (MPFU). “Today’s charges should serve as a warning to others who might try to defraud the U.S. government -- no matter how deep you try to bury the evidence of your crime, we will find it.”    

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $1.5 million, and a $300 special assessment.  Full restitution of up to approximately $1.2 million also may be ordered.     

The case was investigated by the Major Procurement Fraud Unit (MPFU) of the United States Army Criminal Investigative Command (Army CID), the Defense Criminal Investigative
Service (DCIS); and the United States Air Force Office of Special Inspection (Air Force OSI).  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary E. Crawley.

Click here to view the indictment

An Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA - Walter P. Lambert, a/k/a “Buddy,” 73, of Pen Argyl, PA, was charged by information, filed yesterday, with 16 counts of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and one count of interfering with the due administration of the Internal Revenue Service, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

            The information alleges that Lambert, who at the time was the CEO of Blue Mountain Consumer Discount Company (“BMCDC”), a consumer loan company based in Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, defrauded individual lenders into loaning over $5 million to BMCDC by promising them a high rate of return (typically 9% or 10%), which Lambert usually paid to the investors in cash and failed to document with the IRS.  Lambert told the individual lenders that BMCDC would use the lenders’ funds to issue high-interest loans to consumers (at an interest rate of approximately 23% to 26%), thereby allowing BMCDC to make a profit of approximately 13% to 16% after paying the individual lenders their 10% return.  However, rather than using the individual lenders’ loan principal payments to issue new consumer loans, it is alleged that Lambert used the funds for his own benefit, including: to pay BMCDC’s overhead (including his own salary); to purchase a life insurance policy for himself; to purchase personal items and collectibles for himself and his family members; to pay for gasoline and repairs to personal cars owned and used by himself, his family members, and the owner of BMCDC; and to issue loans to himself, his children, and other  “preferred” consumers at a rate of 6% interest per year or less, rather than the annual interest rate of 23% to 26% that the individual lenders were quoted.  The information alleges that prior to borrowing the principal from the individual lenders, Lambert failed to disclose that their loan principal would be used as set forth above.  The information alleges that in order to keep the scheme afloat, Lambert continued to borrow money from new individual lenders, lied to them about what he would do with the money, and used the new loans to pay the old lenders their interest, and to pay BMCDC’s salary and overhead expenses.

            It is further alleged that to hide his fraud, Lambert doctored the books of BMCDC, submitted false annual reports to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking, and falsified BMCDC’s tax returns.  According to the information, Lambert withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars from BMCDC for the benefit of himself that he caused to be recorded as “loans” to himself and his family members.  In falsely issuing these “loans” to his family members, Lambert forged the signatures of his family members on the loan paperwork and the checks issued by BMCDC, and deposited the checks into his personal bank accounts. Lambert allegedly documented fictitious payments to deceive the Pennsylvania Department of Banking into believing that BMCDC was financially sound and operating appropriately. 

            The information further alleges that in carrying out this scheme, Lambert interfered with the due administration of the Internal Revenue Service by, among other things, overstating corporate income, understating BMCDC’s salaries and wages by failing to record cash salary payments to BMCDC employees, understating BMCDC’s interest expenses by failing to record interest payments to individual lenders that were made in cash, and submitting false tax returns for BMCDC.   Lambert is also alleged to have paid a 1% “kickback” to one of the individual lenders, Nicholas R. Sabatine, III, charged separately, a local area attorney who referred clients to Lambert.  While Lambert paid Sabatine’s clients 9% interest by check and provided them and the IRS with accurate annual IRS Forms 1099, Lambert paid Sabatine his promised 1% kickback in the form of cash that neither Lambert nor Sabatine timely declared to the IRS. 

            Lambert allegedly caused over 20 individual lenders to sustain losses of approximately $2,269,503, and caused the IRS to sustain a tax loss of at least approximately $252,621 for tax years 2007 through 2009.   

            If convicted, Walter Lambert faces a maximum sentence of 423 years in prison, a three-year period of supervised release, a $5.5 million fine, and a $2,200 special assessment.

            The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. Lowe.

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment or Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA - Tracey Parson, 44, of Sicklerville, NJ, was charged today by indictment with two counts of conspiracy, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of mail fraud, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The charges arose from a scheme to defraud the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture, and a separate scheme to defraud Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (“Clear Channel”), all through Kiddie Kare Child Care & Education Center (“Kiddie Kare”).  Kiddie Kare was a day care company with locations in Philadelphia and was founded and run by Parson.  Parson used Kiddie Kare to, among other things, defraud a federally funded program designed to provide meals to eligible children attending day care.  In addition, Parson used Kiddie Kare to defraud Clear Channel in connection with a defamation lawsuit stemming from a radio broadcast.  Parson falsely alleged in the lawsuit that the defamation resulted in lost revenue at Kiddie Kare.  

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 90 years in prison, a fine of up to $1.5 million, five years of supervised release, and a $600 special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary Kay Costello. 

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA - Steven Mazer, 27, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 60 years in prison, the statutory maximum, for production of child pornography.  Mazer pleaded guilty on June 24, 2013 to two counts of production of child pornography.

            In December 2011, Mazer agreed to babysit a friend’s two minor children, a two year-old and a three year-old.  While he was babysitting, Mazer enticed and coerced the children to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.  Mazer video recorded the sexually violent acts.

In addition to the 60-year prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Jan E. DuBois ordered a fine of $2,500, five years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment.    

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vineet Gauri.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

A superseding indictment was filed today charging the former medical director of Lehigh County Prison with financial aid fraud to get Pell Grants for his four eldest children. Dennis Erik Fluck Von Kiel, 58, of New Tripoli, PA, also allegedly tried to file fraudulent claims for social security disability insurance. Von Kiel was awaiting trial on conspiracy and tax evasion charges.

The superseding indictment contains 11 new counts. Von Kiel was originally charged with six counts including conspiracy to defraud the United States and five counts of attempting to evade or defeat federal taxes. The new counts include corruptly endeavoring to interfere with the due administration of the Internal Revenue Code, knowingly failing to file tax returns, wire fraud, perjury at a bankruptcy proceeding, and mail fraud.

According to the indictment, Von Kiel engaged in a series of illegal schemes since 2001, which were designed to help him evade creditors, including the IRS and the Department of Health and Human Services to whom Von Kiel owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in outstanding medical school loans.  Von Kiel then allegedly lied on applications to the Department of Education for financial student aid for four of his children, which enabled them to receive more than $36,000 in federal Pell Grants for their college educations.  Most recently, the indictment alleges, Von Kiel tried to file a fraudulent claim for social security disability benefits by falsely claiming that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Von Kiel is a doctor of osteopathy whose medical practice included treating inmates at LCP from approximately March 1989 until approximately August 2013. Most of Von Kiel’s alleged schemes involved him pretending to become a minister of a “church” called the International Academy of Lymphology (which later changed its name to the International Academy of Life and then the Christian Forum Assembly), purporting to take a “vow of poverty,” and then claiming that he had no taxable income because his earnings belonged to “church.”  The indictment alleges that Von Kiel convinced his employer that he was exempt from federal tax withholdings and directed his employer to deposit his bi-weekly paychecks into bank accounts for his “church.”  Once the money arrived in those accounts, co-conspirators would transfer nearly the same amount of money into Pennsylvania bank accounts controlled by Von Kiel.  Von Kiel then allegedly used the money to pay for all of his family’s day-to-day living expenses and to buy some luxury items.

Von Kiel has been held without bail at the Federal Detention Center since his arrest on February 28, 2014.  His trial is scheduled to begin on September 10, 2014, before the United States District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 108 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $2,895,000, and a $1,700 special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, the FBI, and the Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General, It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Dubnoff.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Thomas Darden, 51, Eric Townes, 20, Nick Finks, 25, and Neisha Woodson, 29, all of Baltimore, MD, were charged today by indictment with bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  In addition, Darden was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  The indictment charges that the defendants committed these offenses on or about April 25, 2014.

If convicted of all charges, the defendants face a maximum of life imprisonment, with a consecutive mandatory minimum sentence of seven years imprisonment.  The defendants also face five years of supervised release, a $500,000 fine, and a $200 special assessment.  Darden faces an additional $250,000 fine, and $100 special assessment.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney V. Paige Pratter.

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Anthony Andrews, 33, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by indictment with felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the indictment, on June 17, 2014, Andrews knowingly possessed four firearms and ammunition that included an MPA (Masterpiece Arms) 5.7x28 caliber pistol; an MPA (Masterpiece Arms), 9 millimeter pistol; a CAI (Century Arms International/Zastava Arms) 7.62x39 caliber pistol; and a Phoenix Arms, .25 ACP caliber pistol. 

If convicted, Andrews faces a potential advisory sentencing guideline range of 235 to 293 months in prison with a 15-year mandatory-minimum, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jose Arteaga.

Click here to view the indictment

     An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA –Tianna Edwards, 32, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

In 2008, Edwards had a criminal record which would have prohibited her from obtaining a license to operate a child day care facility and receive state and federal child subsidy payments from the Department of Public Welfare (“DPW”).  In order to circumvent the criminal history clearance requirements for a license and to become eligible for state and federal child care subsidy funds, in September 2008, defendant Tianna Edwards submitted the first of two separate applications to DPW containing the forged signatures of another individual, for licenses to operate facilities named “Tianna’s Terrific Tots.” Both applications were false because they listed a person who did not have a criminal record as the sole legal owner and operator of “Tianna’s Terrific Tots” when, in fact, defendant Tianna Edwards controlled and operated “Tianna’s Terrific Tots.” The facilities were located on Germantown Avenue and Rising Sun Avenue in Philadelphia.  From December, 2008 through July 2012, Tianna Edwards received from DPW approximately $1,459,470.25 in fraudulent payments to Tianna’s Terrific Tots and spent the money on lifestyle expenses and gambling, as well as business expenses.

U.S. District Court Judge Juan R. Sanchez scheduled a sentencing hearing for October 10, 2014. Edwards faces a maximum possible sentence of 100 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $1.25 million, and a $500 special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joan E. Burnes.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Atticus Rice, 51, of Sicklerville, NJ, was charged today by information with aiding in the preparing and filing of materially false tax returns, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The information alleges that Rice was a tax return preparer at Quick Taxes and Payroll Services, at 3858 Pulaski Avenue, in Philadelphia, who prepared false tax returns for a number of individuals.  Between 2008 and 2013, Rice allegedly prepared false tax returns by reporting false income, false expenses, and false tax credits, resulting in tax losses of approximately $162,217.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison, restitution to the IRS, and a $500 special assessment.

The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah L. Grieb.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Click here to view the information.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Eugene Dykes, Jr., 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by indictment with two counts of assaulting federal agents while they were engaged in their official duties, on or about October 17, 2013, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The indictment charges that the defendant used a dangerous weapon, that is, a motor vehicle, to forcibly assault federal task force officers.

If convicted, Dykes faces a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment; three years supervised release; a $500,000 fine; and a $200 special assessment.

This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole Fugitive Unit, and the Philadelphia Police Department.  The case has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski.

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Jade Grander, 29, of Brooklyn, NY, was charged today by indictment with one count of bank fraud and two counts of access device fraud.  The charges arise from the defendant=s alleged participation in a scheme to obtain cash advances at TD Bank using other individuals’ deactivated credit cards by convincing bank tellers to override their Cash Advance Machines in order to process the transaction.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel D. Goldstein.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Click here to view the indictment.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA - Christopher Saravello, 37, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by indictment, unsealed today, in a scheme to extort drugs and money from drug dealers and drug buyers while working as a Philadelphia Police Officer, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion and five counts of Hobbs Act extortion.

According to the indictment, between November 2011 and June 2012, while employed as a Philadelphia Police Officer assigned to the 6th District, Saravello conspired with others, known to the grand jury, to rob drug dealers and drug buyers of cash and Oxycontin and other controlled substances.  It is alleged that Saravello’s co-conspirators would alert him to a drug sale or drug buy.  Saravello would then allegedly interrupt the planned drug transaction, identifying himself as a law enforcement officer by approaching the transaction in a marked police vehicle, wearing a police uniform, displaying an official badge and identification, or verbally identifying himself as a police officer. The indictment alleges that Saravello seized the narcotics being sold by the drug seller or the money being paid by the drug buyer and shared the drugs and/or money seized with his co-conspirators. In doing so, Saravello used his status as a law enforcement officer to seize the controlled substance and/or money from the drug seller or buyer. The alleged conspiracy resulted in the illegal taking of more than $9,800 in drug money and quantities of Oxycontin and other narcotics.

If convicted of all charges, Saravello faces a maximum possible sentence of 120 years in prison, $1.25 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $600 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arlene Fisk.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Click here to read the indictment.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – Kenneth Narzikul, 59, of Media, PA was charged today by information with major fraud against the United States, obstruction of audit, and making false claims to the government, in connection with operation of his business, NP Precision, Inc., a machine tool business located in Folcroft PA. .

According to the information, Narzikul was President and 85% owner of NP Precision, responsible for all aspects of NP Precision’s business, which included contracting with federal agencies to produce critical hardware components used in military helicopters and other aircraft.  The information charges that as early as 2007, Narzikul began misusing progress payments on contracts with the United States, by failing to pay subcontractors and requesting progress payments under the contracts for costs that NP Precision had not actually incurred, and without the intention of using the progress payments for the costs and contracts at issue, in violation of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).  The information charges that Narzikul schemed to fraudulently divert and steal approximately $1.2 million in progress payments that the United States paid NP Precision under two contracts to produce drive shaft couplings for the U.S. Army helicopter Model CH-47, commonly known as a Chinook helicopter. Consequently, it is alleged that the United States received a very belated and many times incomplete product, far later than required under the delivery schedules.  According to the information, Narzikul made false statements and caused others at NP Precision to make false statements to government auditors, and made false claims to falsely reflect progress on numerous Army and Air Force contracts and to continue to receive progress payments from the United States.  The information charges that, at the direction of Narzikul, NP Precision used the diverted funds to pay outstanding obligations on other contracts and other business and personal expenses of the defendant and his family.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $1.5 million, and a $300 special assessment.  Full restitution of up to approximately $1.2 million also may be ordered.     

The case was investigated by the Major Procurement Fraud Unit (MPFU) of the United States Army Criminal Investigative Command (Army CID), the Defense Criminal Investigative
Service (DCIS); and the United States Air Force Office of Special Inspection (Air Force OSI).  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary E. Crawley.

An Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Kevin N. Boardman, 45, of Wilmington, DE, was charged by indictment, filed on June 26, 2014, with multiple counts of mail fraud, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Boardman is a pilot who served as Director of Aviation and Chief Pilot at a family-owned investment management company (“Company A”), in its Aviation Department located in Delaware County. It is alleged that between 2006 and 2013, Boardman devised numerous methods to embezzle money from his employer, eventually stealing over $2.7 million from Company A.

The indictment alleges that among his methods to steal from his employer was a false invoicing scam. Boardman allegedly established two companies, Optical Axes, Inc. (“Optical Axes”) and Airside Monitor LLC (“Airside”), which were front companies that supplied no goods and provided no services. Optical Axes purportedly operated from Lakewood, New York, and Airside from Dover and Wilmington, Delaware. The indictment alleges that Boardman caused approximately 50 invoices from these front companies to be issued to Company A, which paid the invoices by mailing checks to the phony business addresses.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years of imprisonment on each of the ten counts in the indictment, threeyears of supervised release, a $2.5 million fine, a $1,000 special assessment, and criminal forfeiture.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy E. Potts.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Jorry Senestant, 22, of Philadelphia, was charged today by Information1 with unauthorized access to a computer in furtherance of committing wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

The Information alleges that on approximately November 23, 2013, Senestant made an unauthorized access into the computer file with the employee account of an employee of a local university. In doing so, Senestant took the employee’s bank account number and bank routing number. Senestant then later used that stolen bank information to cause an electronic transfer of $13,000 from the employee’s bank account to Senestant’s account at the university for the purpose of paying Senestant’s tuition at the university for the next term. This all occurred without the knowledge or permission of the university or the university employee.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, restitution, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the university cooperated in the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Glenn.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Joseph Villante, age 47, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by information with bank bribery, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The information charges that from approximately January through June 2006, Villante, a vice president and relationship manager at Republic First Bank, solicited approximately $110,000 from a bank customer as a reward for assisting the customer in obtaining two loans from the bank.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Judy G. Smith.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE    
EASTERN DISTRICT, PENNSYLVANIA                    
615 Chestnut Street    
Suite 1250,                                      
Philadelphia, PA  19106

Contact: PATTY HARTMAN

Media Contact: 215-861-8525

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

COPIES OF NEWS MEMOS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT http://www.justice.gov/usao/pae

Albert A. Riccardi, 64, of Sewell, NJ, was charged today by Information with filing a false tax return, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The Information charges that from 2009 through 2012, Riccardi operated a sports bookmaking operation and accepted payments from his bettors in the form of checks, money orders, and cash. The Information alleges that in 2010 and 2011, Riccardi failed to report the income from his bookmaking operation, thereby underreporting his income for each year by over $98,000 and $185,000, respectively.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of three years of imprisonment, one year of supervised release, a $100,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy E. Potts.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Juan Pedro Guzman-Zavala, a/k/a Alvaro Julio Luna, 28, of Reading, PA was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for being an alien in possession of a firearm. He was convicted at tril on March 13, 2014. Guzman-Zavala, a native and citizen of Mexico who is unlawfully present in the United States, assumed the identity of a United States Citizen and applied for a United States Passport in that name. Guzman-Zavala also possessed a 9mm handgun despite the prohibition against illegal aliens possessing firearms.

In addition to the prison term, Guzman-Zavala was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, and a $300 special assessment.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Detective Bureau of the Berks County District Attorney’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeanine Linehan.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Albert A. Riccardi, 64, of Sewell, NJ, was charged today by Information with filing a false tax return, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The Information charges that from 2009 through 2012, Riccardi operated a sports bookmaking operation and accepted payments from his bettors in the form of checks, money orders, and cash. The Information alleges that in 2010 and 2011, Riccardi failed to report the income from his bookmaking operation, thereby underreporting his income for each year by over $98,000 and $185,000, respectively.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of three years of imprisonment, one year of supervised release, a $100,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy E. Potts.

Ricardi_Release.pdf

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE    
EASTERN DISTRICT, PENNSYLVANIA                    
615 Chestnut Street    
Suite 1250,                                      
Philadelphia, PA  19106

Contact: PATTY HARTMAN

Media Contact: 215-861-8525

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

COPIES OF NEWS MEMOS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT http://www.justice.gov/usao/pae

PHILADELPHIA –Kevin Thomas, 51, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by information, filed yesterday, with making a material false statement, in connection with his false certifications relating to rental assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

If convicted, Kevin Thomas faces a maximum possible sentence of 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security OIG and United States Postal Inspection Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joan E. Burnes.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – Life Support Corporation, its owners, Nazariy Kmet, 35, of Jamison, PA, and Bogdan Kmet, 30, of Warminster, PA, and a company manager, Rostislav Kmet, 26, of Philadelphia, were charged in a 12-count indictment, unsealed today, alleging their involvement in health care fraud, wire fraud, paying kickbacks, and aiding and abetting, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The company and one owner also were charged with making false statements in connection with health care matters and money laundering.  The company is located in the Feasterville-Trevose area and was incorporated in 2010.

The indictment alleges that defendant Life Support and its owners and a manager operated an ambulance company that transported patients who were able to walk and could travel safely by means other than ambulance and who therefore were not eligible for ambulance transportation under Medicare requirements.  It is alleged that the defendants or others acting on their behalf falsified reports to make it appear that the patients needed to be transported by ambulance when the defendants and their employees knew that the patients could be transported safely by other means and that many of them were able to walk.  It is also alleged that the defendants were involved in paying kickbacks to patients so that the patients chose to be transported by Life Support ambulances.  The defendants allegedly billed for the ambulance services as if those services were medically necessary and, as a result of the allegedly fraudulent billing, the Medicare program paid more than $1.9 million for this inappropriate method of transportation.

If convicted, Nazariy Kmet, Bogdan Kmet, and Rostislav Kmet each face substantial terms of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a fine in excess of $3.8 million, mandatory restitution estimated at over $1.9 million, forfeiture of assets, and a special assessment.  If convicted, Life Support Corporation faces significant financial penalties, including substantial criminal fines, restitution and forfeiture obligations.  All defendants could be excluded from participating in federal health care programs if convicted.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J.D. Hogan.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – Mikhail Vasserman, 51, of Philadelphia, PA., was sentenced today to five years in prison for his role in a health care fraud scheme involving Penn Choice Ambulance Inc., operating from Huntingdon Valley, PA and Camp Hill, PA.  Vasserman pleaded guilty on October 21, 2013 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, false statements relating to health care matters, and paying kickbacks to patients, a total of 14 counts.  Vasserman, who was the manager for Penn Choice’s Huntingdon Valley base, was indicted with the company’s owner Anna Mudrova, and operators Yury Gerasyuk, Irina Vasserman, Aleksandr Vasserman, Khusen Akhmedov, and Valeriy Davydchik, all of whom have pleaded guilty.

The scheme involved more than $3.6 million in fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare.  The defendants conspired to defraud Medicare by recruiting patients who were able to walk and could travel safely by means other than ambulance and who therefore were not eligible for ambulance transportation under Medicare requirements.  The defendants, and others acting on their behalf, falsified reports to make it appear that the patients needed to be transported by ambulance when the defendants knew that the patients could be transported safely by other means and that many of them walked to the ambulance for transport.  The defendants themselves, or through others, paid illegal kickbacks to the patients as part of scheme.  The defendants billed Medicare for these ambulance services as if those services were medically necessary and, as a result of the fraudulent billing, the Medicare program sustained losses of more than $1.5 million for this medically unnecessary method of transportation.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Juan R. Sànchez ordered three years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $1,703,450.74, joint and several with the co-defendants, a special assessment of $1,400 and forfeiture of any assets traceable to the offense.

In prior proceedings, defendant Khusen Akhmedov, an EMT, was sentenced to 27 months in prison; ambulance drivers, Valeriy Davydchik and Yury Gerasyuk, were each sentenced to 24 months in prison; and the corporation was ordered to pay restitution and to cease all operations. The three remaining defendants are awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney M. Beth Leahy.

In addition to restitution to Medicare of $1,548,583.93, the Court ordered restitution of approximately $154,866.81 payable to Highmark Blue Cross, which provides supplemental insurance to Medicare beneficiaries.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – Rafael Cordero, 53, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison for interfering with the federal drug investigation of the Christian Serrano/Edwin Medina Drug Trafficking Organizations (“DTOs”). Cordero, who at the time was a 23-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, provided sensitive law enforcement information about drug investigations to his half-brother, David Garcia, a member of the Serrano/Medina DTOs. Cordero was convicted on December 3, 2013.

Cordero told his half-brother about a surveillance camera put up by the DEA to monitor activities occurring at a garage, located at 538 East Indiana Street in Philadelphia, used by the Medina DTO. When the FBI and DEA executed search warrants at several locations associated with the Serrano/Medina DTOs, including the garage, Cordero, after being informed about the searches by his half-brother and without having any official reason to do so, went to the search location on East Indiana Street and began looking in the windows of the garage. When confronted by law enforcement and brought inside the location, Cordero misrepresented his reason for being at the location and offered to assist with the search. At no time did Cordero provide his name to law enforcement.

Immediately after leaving the search location, Cordero placed a call to David Garcia and shared with him, among other things, how many law enforcement officers were conducting the search and what areas of the garage they were searching. Garcia removed a DVR tape that law enforcement had inadvertently failed to seize during the search and viewed it to see if Cordero was recorded at the garage at the time of the search, which he was. At no time did Cordero inform law enforcement that David Garcia had possession of the video tape.

When questioned by federal agents, Cordero denied giving information to Garcia regarding the surveillance camera, denied knowing of anyone associated with the Indiana Street garage and denied having spoken to David Garcia about the search at the garage.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond ordered a $5,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Philadelphia Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Brenner and Maureen McCartney.

Erlanda Naranjo, 39, of Nashville, Tennessee, was charged by Information, filed yesterday, with bank fraud, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the Information, while employed at a bank, the defendant submitted a false application for a business line of credit in the name of a relative.  That relative neither owned a business nor authorized Naranjo to apply for credit in her name.  The bank ultimately approved the application, and sustained a loss of more than $95,000, when the line of credit was charged up and not repaid.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison, a five-year period of supervised release, a $1,000,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Abrams.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA – Vadim Fleshler, 33, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced today to 162 months in prison for a healthcare fraud scheme involving Superior EMS Ambulance Co., located in Huntingdon Valley, PA.  Fleshler was a founder of Superior EMS Ambulance and managed its day-to-day operations.  In December 2013, Fleshler pleaded guilty to all counts against him in the indictment including health care fraud, false statements in connection with health care matters, and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

The defendant’s company, Superior EMS Ambulance, transported patients who were able to walk and could travel safely by means other than ambulance and who, therefore, were not eligible for ambulance transportation under Medicare requirements.  The defendant, or others acting on his behalf, falsified reports to make it appear that the patients needed to be transported by ambulance when the defendant knew that the patients could be transported safely by other means and, in fact, many of the patients were able to walk.  The defendant billed for the ambulance services as if those services were medically necessary.  As a result of the fraudulent billing, the Medicare program paid more than $2.4 million for this inappropriate method of transportation.    

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson ordered restitution to Medicare in the amount of $1,931,015.52, a special assessment of $900, and a three-year term of supervised release. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney M. Beth Leahy.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA - William Bucci, 57, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by Superseding Indictment with four counts of making and subscribing false federal income tax returns, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The indictment alleges that Bucci underreported his income for the tax years 2007 through 2010.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 12 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and up to three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Ignall.

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA - Gomer Thomas Williams, 54, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for a scheme to defraud clients of the legal firm where he worked.  Williams was an attorney and associate with the Philadelphia law firm, Spector Gadon & Rosen (“Spector”). Between 2007 and 2012, Williams defrauded four of his trust and estate clients of approximately $503,361 by diverting funds from his clients’ accounts to his personal accounts, and by overbilling his clients for legal work that was not performed. He pleaded guilty in March to one count of wire fraud.

For the trusts, Williams was the trustee, and, for the estates, Williams was the administrator and/or executor. Williams exercised complete control over the victim-clients’ funds, including controlling their checking accounts. Williams abused his fiduciary position in transferring funds from their accounts to pay his own personal expenses, including his mortgage.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Legrome Davis ordered restitution in the amount of $503,361, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Herman Mokuau, 68, of Bridgeton, New Jersey was charged today by Information with one count of theft of Government funds, and one count of false statement or fraud to obtain federal employees’ compensation, announced United States Attorney Zane D. Memeger.  The information alleges that between 2004 and June 2012, Herman Mokuau implemented a scheme to receive and convert to his own use federal workers’ compensation benefits while concealing that he was working as a farrier (horseshoer) and earning income, resulting in total losses to the government of approximately $62,615.39.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of fifteen years incarceration, a $500,000.00 fine, three years supervised release, and restitution of $62,615.39.  

The case was investigated by the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Moshang III.

Click here to view the indictment

An Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Kia Arthur, 41, of Philadelphia, was charged by Information with one count of theft of government funds, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the Information, the defendant applied for and received Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) benefits, alleging that she had been displaced from her home as a result of Hurricane Irene.  The Information alleges that the representations in the defendant’s application to FEMA were false, and that, in fact, she was never displaced from her primary residence.  The defendant’s alleged actions resulted in a loss to the government of approximately $18,413.            

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a three year period of supervised release, restitution to the government of $18,413, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz.

Click here to view the indictment

An Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Lilliam Zawarski, 60, of Easton, PA, was charged today by Information with one count of tax evasion, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The defendant is charged with willfully evading the payment of $131,349.31 in federal income taxes owed by her to the United States of America for the calendar years 2007 through 2009.

If convicted, defendant Zawarski faces a maximum possible sentence of five years imprisonment, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Gallagher.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Identities of children used in tax fraud

PHILADELPHIA – Agents with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, this morning, arrested a total of five people charged in two separate and unrelated indictments that allege a similar scheme. Momolu Sirleaf is charged with stealing the identifying information of foster children to falsely use as dependents on income tax returns he was preparing for clients. In a separate indictment, six people, including a one-time social worker, are charged with stealing the identifying information of disabled children and foster children to falsely use as dependents on income tax returns.

The charges were announced in separate press releases issued today by United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent-in-Charge Akeia Conner.

“The allegations in these indictments depict a disturbing practice of exploiting some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Memeger. “Unfortunately, it is not unusual for criminals to injure victims through identity fraud and cheat the government of its tax revenue through tax fraud. But the conduct in these cases, in which the fraud schemes involved stealing identity information from disabled children and children in foster care, is truly despicable, and those who are responsible must be brought to justice.”

“Investigating refund fraud and identity theft is a priority for IRS Criminal Investigation,” said Conner. “Stealing identities and filing false tax returns is a serious crime that hurts innocent taxpayers. Individuals who commit refund fraud and identity theft of this magnitude deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Today’s arrests should serve as a strong warning to those who are considering similar conduct.”

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE    
EASTERN DISTRICT, PENNSYLVANIA                    
615 Chestnut Street    
Suite 1250,                                      
Philadelphia, PA  19106

Contact: PATTY HARTMAN

Media Contact: 215-861-8525

Press Release (Kamara, et al) | Indictment.pdf (Kamara, et al) | Press Release.pdf (Momolu Sirleaf) | Indictment.pdf(Sirleaf)

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

COPIES OF NEWS MEMOS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT http://www.justice.gov/usao/pae

PHILADELPHIA - An indictment was unsealed today charging six people in an identity theft and tax fraud scheme in which the identities of disabled children and foster care children were stolen, announced U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent-in-Charge Akeia Conner. The indictment charges Ahmed Kamara, 38, and Ibrahim Kamara, 48, both of Yeadon, PA, Musa Turay, 41, and Foday Mansaray, 38, both of Darby, PA, Gebah Kamara, 46, of Sharon Hill, PA, and Dauda Koroma, 43, of Philadelphia, PA, with conspiracy, aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and filing false individual income tax returns. All six defendants were arrested this morning.

Defendants Ahmed Kamara, Musa Turay, Ibrahim Kamara, Dauda Koroma, and Foday Mansaray worked as tax preparers at Medmans Financial Services, a tax preparation business located in South West Philadelphia.  According to the indictment, Ahmed Kamara, Musa Turay, Ibrahim Kamara, Dauda Koroma, and Foday Mansaray defrauded the Internal Revenue Service by repeatedly falsifying information on tax returns.  The indictment alleges that Gebah Kamara, then a social worker at Catholic Social Services, sold the defendant tax preparers the names and Social Security numbers of foster children for the purpose of creating fraudulent dependents on client tax returns.  By including the false dependents, the tax preparers falsely claimed a number of credits and exemptions for their clients, which generated large fraudulent refunds, some in excess of $9,000.  The tax preparer defendants charged clients up to $800 to fraudulently add a dependent on their income tax return.

If convicted, each of the defendants faces a mandatory two year prison term for aggravated identity theft consecutive to the following maximum possible sentences: Ahmed Kamara - 55 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.75 million fine, and a $1,300 special assessment; Musa Turay - 61 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.95 million fine, and a $1,500 special assessment; Gebah Kamara - 43 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.35 million fine, and a $900 special assessment; Ibrahim Kamara - 52 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.65 million fine, and a $1,200 special assessment; Dauda Koroma - 52 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.65 million fine, and a $1,200 special assessment; Foday Mansaray - 43 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.35 million fine, and a $900 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the City of Philadelphia Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen M. Klotz.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA - An indictment was unsealed today charging six people in an identity theft and tax fraud scheme in which the identities of disabled children and foster care children were stolen, announced U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent-in-Charge Akeia Conner. The indictment charges Ahmed Kamara, 38, and Ibrahim Kamara, 48, both of Yeadon, PA, Musa Turay, 41, and Foday Mansaray, 38, both of Darby, PA, Gebah Kamara, 46, of Sharon Hill, PA, and Dauda Koroma, 43, of Philadelphia, PA, with conspiracy, aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and filing false individual income tax returns. Four of the defendants were arrested this morning.

Defendants Ahmed Kamara, Musa Turay, Ibrahim Kamara, Dauda Koroma, and Foday Mansaray worked as tax preparers at Medmans Financial Services, a tax preparation business located in South West Philadelphia. According to the indictment, Ahmed Kamara, Musa Turay, Ibrahim Kamara, Dauda Koroma, and Foday Mansaray defrauded the Internal Revenue Service by repeatedly falsifying information on tax returns. The indictment alleges that Gebah Kamara, then a social worker at Catholic Social Services, sold the defendant tax preparers the names and Social Security numbers of foster children for the purpose of creating fraudulent dependents on client tax returns. By including the false dependents, the tax preparers falsely claimed a number of credits and exemptions for their clients, which generated large fraudulent refunds, some in excess of $9,000. The tax preparer defendants charged clients up to $800 to fraudulently add a dependent on their income tax return.

If convicted, each of the defendants faces a mandatory two year prison term for aggravated identity theft consecutive to the following maximum possible sentences: Ahmed Kamara - 55 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.75 million fine, and a $1,300 special assessment; Musa Turay - 61 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.95 million fine, and a $1,500 special assessment; Gebah Kamara - 43 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.35 million fine, and a $900 special assessment; Ibrahim Kamara - 52 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.65 million fine, and a $1,200 special assessment; Dauda Koroma - 52 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.65 million fine, and a $1,200 special assessment; Foday Mansaray - 43 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1.35 million fine, and a $900 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the City of Philadelphia Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen M. Klotz.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE    
EASTERN DISTRICT, PENNSYLVANIA                    
615 Chestnut Street    
Suite 1250,                                      
Philadelphia, PA  19106

Contact: PATTY HARTMAN

Media Contact: 215-861-8525

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

COPIES OF NEWS MEMOS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT http://www.justice.gov/usao/pae

Momolu Sirleaf, 34, of Darby, PA, is charged by indictment, unsealed today, in a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service by stealing the identities of foster children, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and IRS Special Agent-in-Charge Akeia Conner.  Sirleaf is charged with six counts of aiding or assisting in the preparation of false federal income tax returns, six counts of wire fraud, and eight counts of aggravated identity theft.  The indictment alleges that, between January 2010 and February 2012, Sirleaf obtained the names and Social Security numbers of children within the foster care system to falsely use as dependents on his clients’ income tax returns. Sirleaf was arrested this morning.

Sirleaf owned and operated I.E.S. Tax Services, a tax preparation business located in Darby, PA, that prepared and electronically filed, via the Internet, income tax returns for clients.  According to the indictment, Sirleaf charged clients an extra fee for the use of each dependent’s identity, or withheld an additional fee from the client’s refund amount to pay for the false dependent.  It is further alleged that by adding the false dependents, the defendant generated false tax refunds for his clients, some in excess of $8,000.    

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 154 years in prison, plus a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $4.1 million fine, and a $2,000 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the City of Philadelphia Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen M. Klotz.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

PHILADELPHIA –Tianna Edwards, 32, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by information with wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to defraud the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

According to the information, in 2008, Edwards had a criminal record which would have prohibited her from obtaining a license to operate a child day care facility and receive state and federal child subsidy payments from the Department of Public Welfare (“DPW”).  In order to circumvent the criminal history clearance requirements for a license and to become eligible for state and federal child care subsidy funds, in September 2008, defendant Tianna Edwards submitted the first of two separate applications to DPW containing the forged signatures of another individual, for licenses to operate facilities named “Tianna’s Terrific Tots.” Both applications were false because they listed a person who did not have a criminal record as the sole legal owner and operator of “Tianna’s Terrific Tots” when, in fact, defendant Tianna Edwards controlled and operated “Tianna’s Terrific Tots.” The facilities were located on Germantown Avenue and Rising Sun Avenue in Philadelphia.  The information alleges that, from December, 2008 through July 2012, Tianna Edwards received from DPW approximately $1,459,470.25 in fraudulent payments to Tianna’s Terrific Tots. According to the information, Edwards spent the money on lifestyle expenses and gambling, as well as business expenses.

If convicted, Tianna Edwards faces a maximum possible sentence of 100 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a $1,250,000 fine and a $500 special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joan E. Burnes.

Click here to view the indictment

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525

Ronnie Lee Johnson, a/k/a "Ronnie Lee Durham," and "Ronnie Paul Johnson," 51, of Alexandria, Virginia and formerly of Feasterville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 16 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The defendant previously pled guilty to five counts of Social Security Fraud in connection with his use of a stolen Social Security number and date of birth. The defendant, who stole the victim’s Social Security number while working as a Database Administrator in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, used the stolen Social Security number and date of birth to open bank accounts, obtain a debit card, and obtain employment. The defendant also obtained four driver’s licenses over a period of approximately three years in four different states, and also obtained two passports by altering his appearance and applying for one under the name Ronnie Johnson, and the other under the name Ronnie Durham.

In addition to the 16 month prison sentence, the defendant was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine, and to serve 3 years of supervised release following his prison term.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, the Diplomatic Security Service, and the Lower Southampton Police Department; and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz.

Release.pdf

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525