Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Shyniquah Lightner, 26, and Malik Hudson, 21, both of Philadelphia, were charged today by Indictment[1] with sex trafficking of a minor, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

The indictment alleges that between July 2017 and September 2017, defendant Shyniquah Lightner was the operator of a prostitution venture in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and defendant Malik Hudson assisted Lightner in the operation.  As part of the venture, Lightner recruited young females to work as prostitutes in her business, and she created Internet advertisements in which she marketed various females as available for purchase for purposes of prostitution.  These advertisements featured pictures of the females, either scantily clad or partially nude, a description of each female, and a phone number to call to arrange a meeting.  Defendants Lightner and Hudson used force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion to cause the females who worked for them to engage in commercial sex acts.  Two of the females Lightner recruited and advertised were under 18 years of age.  Lightner and Hudson are charged with sex trafficking of Minor 1.  Additionally, Lightner is charged in a second count with sex trafficking of Minor 2.

If convicted, Lightner faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, a minimum of 5 years up to lifetime-supervised release, a $500,000 fine, and a $200 special assessment.

If convicted, Hudson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, a minimum of 5 years up to lifetime-supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

"We are privileged to have collaborated with our Human Trafficking Task Force partners in the investigation and attendant arrests," said Philadelphia Police Comissioner Ricard Ross. "Our collective efforts resulted in the arrests of two dangerous predators, and furthered our overarching mission to keep our children safe from exploitation."

"The task force brings together the expertise, training, experience, and law enforcement authorities of the partnered agencies to help identify human traffickers, and prosecute them while also protecting and aiding survivors.  “HSI Philadelphia is pleased that the newly formed multiagency Anti-Trafficking Coalition worked jointly on this investigation, and we look forward to expanding our partnerships with private and public entities to combat human trafficking,” said Marlon V. Miller, special agent in charge of HSI Philadelphia.

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Philadelphia Police Department Special Victim’s Unit (SVU) and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Natali.  This case is part of the Philadelphia Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.  Members of the joint task force include the HSI Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Police Department’s SVU, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Family Violence & Sexual Assault Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Salvation Army and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

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

Edward Torres, 30, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Alejantro Levya-Granados, 47 and Sergio Arturo Maciel-Landeros, 28, both of Mexico, were charged today by Indictment[1] with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute six kilograms of heroin and possession with intent to distribute six kilograms of heroin, and aiding and abetting the same; announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  The charges arise from the defendants’ possession of approximately six kilograms of heroin inside of a hidden compartment in the car in which they were travelling in order to facilitate the sale of those drugs for $52,000 per kilogram.

            If convicted the defendants face maximum possible sentences of life imprisonment.

            The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bensalem Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yvonne Osirim.

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

Andre Pereira-Lopes, a/k/a “Davi Da Silva,” of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by Indictment with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  The indictment alleges that on or about February 24, 2018, Pereira-Lopes, an illegal alien, knowingly possessed a .38 caliber Colt Detective Special revolver, which was loaded with six rounds of ammunition.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of ten years and other penalties.

The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Jayne.

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

Bright Ogodo, 43, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today to 80 months in prison following his conviction of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

            In sentencing Ogodo, the court found that Ogodo was a leader of a bank fraud and aggravated identity theft ring that used “runners,” to pose as TD Bank customers by using false drivers’ licenses and other means of identification of the TD Bank customers, including their names, social security numbers, and dates of birth. As part of his guilty plea, Ogodo had admitted that he recruited the runners, drove the runners to TD Bank branches in the Philadelphia area, as well as in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware, gave the runners the false drivers’ licenses and other means of identification, and instructed them how to access the TD Bank customers’ accounts. Ogodo had also admitted that he and the runners deposited large-dollar counterfeit checks and small amounts of cash and money orders into the bank accounts, thereby learning the account numbers (if they were not already known) and also as a way of being able to know the exact date, location, and amount of the last deposit into the account, which co-schemers then used to set up on-line access to the accounts. Ogodo admitted that the runners, posing as the true account holders, obtained new ATM cards tied to the TD Bank customers’ checking accounts, and then one or more co-schemers, including defendant Ogodo himself, began to deplete the funds in that checking account by using the newly-obtained ATM cards to withdraw cash and purchase merchandise and money orders. Ogodo also admitted that he transferred funds from the TD Bank customers’ existing home equity lines of credit (HELOC) into the checking accounts that were tied to the ATM cards in the possession of defendant Ogodo and other co-schemers, which allowed defendant Ogodo and other co-schemers to obtain over $523,000 from the TD Bank accounts. Ogodo admitted that he intended to cause TD Bank to sustain more than $785,000 in losses, as that is the amount of counterfeit checks and HELOC and other transfers made into the checking accounts tied to the ATM cards in the co-schemers’ possession.

            The case was investigated by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. Lowe.

Fernando Salinas-Palma, a/k/a “Fernando Gutierrez-Palma,” of Norristown, PA, was charged today by Indictment with illegal reentry after deportation, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  The indictment alleges that on or about February 21, 2018, Salinas-Palma, an alien, and native and citizen of Mexico, was found in the United States after having been deported from the United States on or about April 6, 2012, April 24, 2012, and June 30, 2012.  If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of ten years.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katherine E. Driscoll.

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

The United States filed a civil lawsuit today against Stephen Latman, a physician in the Reading, Pennsylvania area, alleging that he wrote improper opioid prescriptions for several of his patients, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  According to the complaint, Latman issued 343 opioid prescriptions to three of his patients that lacked a legitimate medical purpose and were issued outside of the usual course of his professional practice.

The United States and Dr. Latman have also entered into a Stipulated Order and Consent Judgment, subject to the Court’s approval that would resolve the matter without litigation.  If approved by the Court, the Judgment would require Latman to pay $400,000 to the United States, prohibit Latman from ever seeking a future DEA controlled substance license, require Latman to voluntarily relinquish his license to practice medicine, and require Latman to execute an agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to be excluded from Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs.

The complaint filed by the United States alleges that Latman, for these three patients, prescribed approximately 123,660 opioid pills from 2014 through 2016.  Those prescriptions were often written for oxycodone 30mg, one of the most heavily abused and most lucrative oxycodone prescriptions on the black market.  An expert review of these prescriptions indicated that the prescriptions were dangerous, inappropriate, and susceptible to illicit use.

“The opioid crisis in our communities has had a devastating impact,” said United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  “Physicians have the vital responsibility to write prescriptions that are in the best interest of the patient, particularly for opioids.  Our office will continue to hold physicians accountable when they violate that responsibility.”

The United States filed this lawsuit under the Controlled Substances Act.  The complaint contains allegations only, and not findings of liability.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and assisted by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorney Anthony D. Scicchitano handled the matter. 

United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen today announced that the Government has reached a settlement with Allergy & Asthma Specialists, P.C. (“A&A”) to resolve alleged violations of title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) for failure to provide a deaf patient with effective communication. 

Under title III of the ADA, no person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation may discriminate against an individual on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of a place of public accommodation.  Discrimination includes failing to take such steps as necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated, or otherwise treated differently than any other individual because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services.    

According to the United States= allegations, in 2017, a deaf patient had difficulty effectively communicating with A&A staff during a visit to an A&A facility in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.  Although A&A provided an interpreter who could speak some sign language, the interpreter was not a certified sign language interpreter, and the patient had difficulty understanding the interpreter.     

As a result of the United States’ investigation and the full cooperation of A&A, A&A has agreed to implement an effective communication policy and to annually train its staff regarding that policy. 

This case was investigated by Assistant United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero.

Rafael Christopher Cirino, 36, of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on Friday by the Hon. Edward G. Smith, United States District Judge, to a term of 60 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by supervised release for a period of 5 years, as well as a $1,700 special assessment,  announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  This conviction was the result of a collaboration of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in order to halt fraudulent claims for state benefits, mortgage fraud, and insurance fraud.

According to the indictment and guilty plea, between October 2016 and March 2017, Cirino submitted fraudulent claims for unemployment compensation benefits with the State of Pennsylvania using fictitious identities.  Cirino also submitted multiple fraudulent claims under insurance policies regarding business property that had allegedly been stolen.  Cirino further used the fictitious identity of one phantom employee of the business to submit multiple residential mortgage loan applications containing materially false information.  Last, Cirino possessed numerous hologram images depicting the seals of various States, in conjunction with blank plastic cards containing magnetic stripes and clear laminating film, suitable for fabricating false identification documents.

The sentence follows Cirino’s plea of guilty on October 18, 2017 to each of the counts contained in a pending Indictment charging him with four counts of mail fraud, two counts of fraudulent misrepresentation of a Social Security number, four counts of wire fraud, two counts of making false statements in a mortgage loan application, and a single count possession of an authentication feature, intending that the authentication feature be used in a false identification document.

“Rafael Cirino misused the identities of others to fraudulently obtain unemployment compensation benefits by engaging in a scheme to defraud the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry,” said Richard Deer, Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, and U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to safeguard unemployment compensation benefits programs.”

The case was investigated by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Spring Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Internal Audits Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Schlessinger.

WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury sitting in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania returned a superseding indictment today adding charges in a pending criminal case against a Philadelphia-area political consultant, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Louis D. Lappen for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

The original indictmenz, returned on Oct. 24, 2017, charged Kenneth Smukler, 57, of Villanova, Pennsylvania, with causing unlawful campaign contributions, causing the filing of false reports to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), and causing false statements to the Federal Election Commission in connection with a 2012 congressional campaign.  The superseding indictment charges Smukler with these same offenses, as well as making conduit contributions to a federal campaign committee and obstructing an FEC investigation in connection with the 2014 congressional campaign of a different candidate. 

According to the indictment, Smukler made and caused to be made excess and conduit contributions and engaged in a falsification and obstruction scheme involving a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for Member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014.  According to the indictment, the excess contributions came from associates of Smukler and were funneled through two of Smukler’s consulting companies.  The conduit contributions were routed through another political consultant and the candidate.

As alleged in the indictment, in or about April 2014, Smukler became aware that the campaign was running out of funds that it could spend on primary election expenses.  According to the indictment, Smukler nevertheless directed the campaign to continue paying for goods and services associated with the primary election.  According to the indictment, in or about May 2014, one of Smukler’s companies made a $78,750 payment to the campaign that was used to pay for primary election expenses.  Smukler falsely told the campaign that this money came from a segregated media account, when in fact the payment was funded by an associate of Smukler’s and therefore constituted an illegal campaign contribution. 

As alleged in the indictment, after the campaign lost the primary election, the campaign did not have sufficient funds to repay the contributions that the campaign had received for the general election.  As alleged in the indictment, in order to conceal this shortfall, Smukler funneled illegal contributions totaling $150,000 from an associate to the campaign through two of Smukler’s consulting companies.  As alleged in the indictment, Smukler falsely told the campaign that these payments were refunds of money that had been escrowed in Smukler’s companies for general election expenses, when, in fact, the money had come not from escrow accounts but from Smukler’s associate, and the money could not have been escrowed campaign funds because Smukler’s companies had already spent a significant portion of the funds they had received from the campaign.

According to the indictment, Smukler caused the campaign to falsely characterize the payments from his companies as refunds in FEC reports and in a letter to the FEC, which led the FEC to dismiss a pending complaint against the campaign.

In addition, the indictment alleges that Smukler made an unlawful conduit contribution to the campaign in excess of $2,000 through another political consultant.  And, according to the indictment, in or about June 2015, Smukler made another unlawful conduit contribution to the campaign, this time in excess of $10,000, through the candidate.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Trial Attorney Jonathan Kravis of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Gibson of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.

PHILADELPHIA – A federal grand jury sitting in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania returned a superseding indictment today adding charges in a pending criminal case against a Philadelphia-area political consultant announced U.S. Attorney Louis D. Lappen for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

The original indictment, returned on Oct. 24, 2017, charged Kenneth Smukler, 57, with causing unlawful campaign contributions, causing the filing of false reports to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), and causing false statements to the Federal Election Commission in connection with a 2012 congressional campaign.  The superseding indictment charges Smukler with these same offenses, as well as making conduit contributions to a federal campaign committee and obstructing an FEC investigation in connection with the 2014 congressional campaign of a different candidate. 

According to the indictment, Smukler made and caused to be made excess and conduit contributions and engaged in a falsification and obstruction scheme involving a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for Member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014.  According to the indictment, the excess contributions came from associates of Smukler and were funneled through two of Smukler’s consulting companies.  The conduit contributions were routed through another political consultant and the candidate.

As alleged in the indictment, in or about April 2014, Smukler became aware that the campaign was running out of funds that it could spend on primary election expenses.  According to the indictment, Smukler nevertheless directed the campaign to continue paying for goods and services associated with the primary election.  According to the indictment, in or about May 2014, one of Smukler’s companies made a $78,750 payment to the campaign that was used to pay for primary election expenses.  Smukler falsely told the campaign that this money came from a segregated media account, when in fact the payment was funded by an associate of Smukler’s and therefore constituted an illegal campaign contribution. 

As alleged in the indictment, after the campaign lost the primary election, the campaign did not have sufficient funds to repay the contributions that the campaign had received for the general election.  As alleged in the indictment, in order to conceal this shortfall, Smukler funneled illegal contributions totaling $150,000 from an associate to the campaign through two of Smukler’s consulting companies.  As alleged in the indictment, Smukler falsely told the campaign that these payments were refunds of money that had been escrowed in Smukler’s companies for general election expenses, when, in fact, the money had come not from escrow accounts but from Smukler’s associate, and the money could not have been escrowed campaign funds because Smukler’s companies had already spent a significant portion of the funds they had received from the campaign.

According to the indictment, Smukler caused the campaign to falsely characterize the payments from his companies as refunds in FEC reports and in a letter to the FEC, which led the FEC to dismiss a pending complaint against the campaign.

In addition, the indictment alleges that Smukler made an unlawful conduit contribution to the campaign in excess of $2,000 through another political consultant.  And, according to the indictment, in or about June 2015, Smukler made another unlawful conduit contribution to the campaign, this time in excess of $10,000, through the candidate.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Trial Attorney Jonathan Kravis of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Gibson of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.

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

PHILADELPHIA – James D. Falkowski, a/k/a “Jamie Falkowski,” 42, of Buffalo, New York, pleaded guilty on March 20, 2018 in federal court to criminal charges for which he was indicted including eleven counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

Falkowski pleaded guilty to operating a multi-faceted fraud scheme while working as a director at QVC, Inc., an American cable, satellite and broadcast television network and multinational corporation specializing in televised and internet home shopping based in West Chester, Pennsylvania.  Falkowski – a QVC Director from 2008 until his termination in 2013 – was responsible for enhancing QVC’s brand and reputation in the entertainment and fashion industries.  Falkowski used his position at QVC to embezzle and fraudulently obtain from QVC over $1,000,000 worth of money, goods and services, all without QVC’s knowledge or approval, including hundreds of thousands of dollars of first-class travel, luxury hotel and resort stays, spa treatments, upscale restaurants, luxury clothing, luxury accessories, and personal medical treatments such as botox treatment.  To hide his actions from QVC, Falkowski created fake invoices purporting to be from The Four Seasons Hotels, luxury car service companies, and other vendors in order to deceive QVC into paying for Falkowski’s fraud.  Falkowski also enlisted the assistance of two QVC vendors to help him defraud QVC: those two vendors – including Los Angeles-based public relations agency “The Steinberg Group,” doing business as “dOMAIN,” and a New York City-based production management company – agreed to submit to QVC fraudulently altered invoices and bills to hide Falkowski’s embezzlement. 

Falkowski also pleaded guilty to crimes involving fraudulently causing QVC to pay over $200,000 in private luxury chauffeur rides for himself and his associates, approximately $70,000 in payments to his personal creditors – including by causing QVC to pay more than $28,000 for a coffee table and credenza table for Falkowski’s Philadelphia apartment – as well as $59,500 in gift cards from American Express, Tom Ford, and Barney’s New York that Falkowski claimed were for distribution to talent, but which he used for himself.

Falkowski also pleaded guilty to participating in illegal kickback deals with two separate QVC vendors – both of whom Falkowksi had caused QVC to hire, and both of whose relationships with QVC Falkowski controlled.  First, Falkowski caused QVC to hire The Steinberg Group, doing business as dOMAIN; Falkowski thereafter instructed The Steinberg Group’s leadership to become a QVC “vendor representative” and earn royalties from QVC.  Falkowski then covertly assisted The Steinberg Group’s leadership in negotiating against QVC by providing The Steinberg Group with QVC’s confidential, proprietary contractual information, which enabled The Steinberg Group to illicitly negotiate for – and fraudulently obtain – a larger royalty percentage over a longer period of time from QVC.  In return for his fraudulent assistance, The Steinberg Group secretly cut Falkowski into their deal, agreeing to pay Falkowski a kickback of fifty percent (50%) on all royalty payments received from QVC.  Falkowski and The Steinberg Group’s leadership also secretly entered into a separate kickback deal relating to products sold by a QVC competitor – all while Falkowski was an executive at QVC.  Ultimately, The Steinberg Group/dOMAIN and Falkowski brought in $312,488.32 pursuant to their fraudulent kickback deal.  After Falkowski was terminated by QVC in December 2013, Falkowski sent an email to The Steinberg Group’s leadership, stating: “Let’s be clear . . . You have a better deal than any other rep because of me solely. [W]e do not have any contract between us of our deal JUST [The Steinberg Group’s/dOMAIN’s President’s] word that we split things 50/50 always. This was because of the complications while I was at QVC.”  Separately, also entered into a fraudulent kickback arrangement with the New York City-based production management company, pursuant to which he instructed the company’s leadership to become a QVC vendor representative, and in turn was secretly cut into that deal as a one-third (33%) partner.  Falkowski and the New York City-based production management company brought in $314,768.92 pursuant to their fraudulent kickback arrangement. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Petkun.

Sentencing was set for July 10, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Michael M. Baylson. 

Rasheeda Overton, 38, of Dover, DE was charged in an indictment unsealed today with 23 counts of wire fraud and 4 counts of aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

According to the indictment, Overton was a payroll manager of a Philadelphia-based non-profit entity that translates, publishes, and distributes copies of the Christian Bible to recipients around the world.  Overton allegedly altered the bank account information of former employees that had been on file with the company so that any future payments to those former employees would be diverted into bank accounts that she controlled.  Overton then allegedly arranged for her employer to pay more than $100,000 in wages to those former employees, all of which wound up in her bank accounts. 

If convicted of all charges, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of at least two years’ imprisonment and a statutory maximum sentence of 468 years’ imprisonment, a $6.75 million fine, three years supervised release, and a $2,700 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Dubnoff                                                                            

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

PHILADELPHIA – Vidya Banka, M.D., a cardiologist and former director of Pennsylvania Hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab, has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States to resolve allegations that he improperly submitted Medicare claims for unnecessary cardiac stent procedures.  

The University of Pennsylvania Health System (“UPHS”), which owns Pennsylvania Hospital, brought the matter to the United States’ attention through a voluntary self-disclosure. In January 2017, UPHS reached a separate settlement with the United States. The United States then continued to investigate Dr. Banka.

Dr. Banka had privileges to admit patients to Pennsylvania Hospital and ceased working there in September 2012.

The United States alleged that between May 5, 2010 and September 7, 2012, Dr. Banka performed cardiac stent procedures at Pennsylvania Hospital that were not medically necessary. According to the United States, claims were then submitted to Medicare for stent procedures that Dr. Banka performed.

To resolve the matter, Dr. Banka has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $126,617. He has also agreed to a five-year term of exclusion from Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs. Dr. Banka admitted no liability as part of the agreement.

 “We encourage health care organizations to make voluntary disclosures to the government when they identify false claims,” said United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. “This agreement with Dr. Banka shows that we will and must hold individuals accountable.  Voluntary disclosure by an institution is not a free pass from accountability for the individual directly responsible for the false claims.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Macko handled the matter. The matter was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and by Auditor Dawn Wiggins of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

PHILADELPHIA – Keith Freeman, 23, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was charged today by Indictment with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, plus a possible fine, supervised release, and a special assessment.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Philadelphia Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Stengel.

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

Shawn Gilbert, 46, of Philadelphia, was charged today by indictment[1] with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and Xanax, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. 

The indictment alleges that on about September 1, 2017, Gilbert possessed with intent to distribute marijuana and Xanax, and was found in possession of a firearm along with the marijuana and Xanax.

If convicted, Gilbert faces lifetime imprisonment, including a 20 year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, at least 4 years up to lifetime supervised release, a $1,250,000 fine, and a $200 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department, and has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Salvatore L. Astolfi.

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

Two Philadelphia men were sentenced to prison for conspiring to file fraudulent tax refund claims, announced U.S. Attorney Louis D. Lappen for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

Moise Olivier, 28, a member of the conspiracy, was sentenced today to serve three months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $181,805.10 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  Hans Pierre, another member of the conspiracy, was sentenced last month to serve three months in prison.  Pierre, 29, was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following his prison sentence and ordered to pay $95,157.41 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. 

According to documents and information provided to the court, Olivier and Pierre conspired with others to use stolen IDs to file tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) fraudulently seeking tax refunds.  Although neither man had a tax preparation business, Olivier opened up a bank account in the name of “Moise Olivier Tax Service” and Pierre opened up two bank accounts in the name of “Hans Pierre Tax Service” to facilitate the crime.  Their co-conspirators directed the IRS to deposit some of the fraudulently obtained refunds into these bank accounts.  Olivier and Pierre withdrew money from their bank accounts to provide to other co-conspirators, and they kept a substantial portion of the illegal proceeds for their own use.  Olivier admitted to causing a tax loss of $181,805.10.  Pierre admitted to causing a tax loss of $95,157.41.

In addition to these sentences, U.S. District Judge John R. Padova sentenced the other defendants as follows:

• Steeve Zamor, who recruited other individuals to join the scheme, was sentenced to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $366,135.53 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.
   
• Shamback Francois was sentenced to eight months in prison and three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $425,841.14 in restitution and a $200 special assessment.
   
• Douge Francois was sentenced to four months in prison in prison and three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $32,300 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.

• Daniel Monville was sentenced to three months in prison and three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $155,789.23 in restitution and a $400 special assessment.

• Peterson Blanc was sentenced to three months in prison and three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100,049.10 in restitution and a $700 special assessment.

• Stanley Jean was sentenced to three months in a halfway house and five years of probation, and ordered to pay $129,000 in restitution and a $200 special assessment.
   
• Jean Celestin was sentenced to two months in prison and three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $118,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.
   
• Ronald LaFortune was sentenced to two months of home confinement and three years of probation, and ordered to pay $118,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.
•  

Zamor, Douge Francois, Blanc, Monville, and LaFortune all face potential immigration proceedings as a result of their felony convictions.

U.S. Attorney Lappen and  Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Eric B. Powers of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ignall, who prosecuted the case.

PHILADELPHIA – Michael Rohana, 23, of Bear, DE, was charged today by indictment[1]  of theft of major artwork from a museum, concealment of major artwork stolen from  museum and interstate transportation of stolen property. According to the indictment, on, December 21, 2017, Rohana stole from the Franklin Institute, a piece (“the Thumb”) from one of the terracotta sculptures dating from 210 to 209 B.C. Rohana then transported the Thumb from Philadelphia to his home in Bear, Delaware.

If convicted, Rohana faces a maximum term of thirty years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $750,000 fine.  

This case was brought to the immediate attention of authorities by the Franklin Institute. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Art Crime Team and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney KT Newtown.

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

PHILADELPHIA – Timothy Smith, 37, of Philadelphia, was charged today by indictment[1] with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  According to the indictment, on November 25, 2017, Smith was in possession of a Hi-Point, Model C-9, 9mm pistol, with obliterated serial number raised to read P1650136, loaded with 6 live rounds.

If convicted, Smith faces a minimum term of fifteen years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, 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 Katherine E. Driscoll.

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

PHILADELPHIA – Marshfield Medical, Inc., formerly known as Bromedicon, Inc. (“Bromedicon”), has agreed to pay $550,000 to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that it submitted false claims to Medicare and other federal health care programs for failing to provide a qualified interpreting physician to monitor each surgery for which it purportedly provided remote Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (“IONM”).

Bromedicon was in the business of providing real-time remote IONM during certain surgeries, such as brain and spinal surgeries.  In IONM, a qualified interpreting physician in a remote location monitors the integrity of neural structures during surgery via a live data stream transmitted from electrodes on the patient.  IONM is intended to reduce the likelihood of unintended damage to those structures and provide guidance to the surgeon during surgery.  The qualified interpreting physician is in live contact with a technician in the operating room throughout the surgery so that relevant findings can be communicated to the surgeon in real time.  Medicare rules require that the qualified interpreting physician is licensed to practice medicine.

In numerous cases between 2011 and 2015, Bromedicon failed to provide a qualified interpreting physician to monitor surgeries for which it purportedly provided remote IONM services.  In some of those cases, no one monitored the data stream from the surgeries.  In others, Bromedicon’s medical director, a foreign medical school graduate with no license to practice medicine in the United States, was the only monitor.  Bromedicon violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims for reimbursement for these IONM services as though one of the licensed physicians employed by Bromedicon performed them.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit pending in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania that was filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private citizens to bring civil actions on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery.  “We thank the whistleblower in this case.  Information from citizens can be invaluable in detecting and combatting fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of the Inspector General.  For the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the investigation and settlement were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Crutchlow and Auditor Dawn Wiggins.

 “Today’s guilty verdicts send the message again to corrupt politicians that they are not above the law,” said United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. “The jury has held Mayor Pawlowski accountable for selling his office to the highest bidder to fund his personal ambitions.  Thinking only of himself, he deprived Allentown residents of their right to receive honest and faithful services from their municipal government.  The mayor then tried to cover up his crimes by destroying evidence, lying to the FBI agents who were investigating him, and lying to the federal jurors who heard his case. Our prosecutors and law enforcement partners worked extremely hard to investigate this case, which also resulted in 10 guilty pleas. We hope that those in public office receive the clear message that justice system will not tolerate these abuses of the public trust.”

John Montgomery, 58, of Exton, PA and Alfredo Lopez, M.D., 47, of Indianapolis, Indiana, were indicted on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud and Conspiracy to Solicit and Pay Kickbacks, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. As alleged in the indictment, the defendants contracted with primary care physicians, chiropractors and podiatrists across the United States to provide nerve conduction testing in the provider’s office. Defendants Montgomery and Lopez offered the providers financial incentives to induce them to order nerve conduction tests for patients in their practice, which the defendants provided, and for which they obtained payments from Medicare. According to the indictment, from January 2006 through January 2013, the defendants caused the submission of least approximately $4.1 million of fraudulent claims to Medicare for nerve conduction tests that did not meet Medicare’s coverage criteria and established standards of care for such testing. The defendants are alleged to have caused Medicare to incur losses of at least approximately $ 679,214 during the period charged in the indictment.   

If convicted the defendants face a maximum possible sentence of 15 years imprisonment; three years of supervision after release from prison; fines of 500,000; and a special assessment of $200. 

The case was investigated by Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys M. Beth Leahy and Jennifer B. Jordan.

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

PHILADELPHIA – Dr. Alan Summers, 79, of Ambler, PA, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by the Honorable Lawrence F. Stengel to 48 months in prison, followed by 2 years supervised release. Summers was also ordered to pay $14,000 in restitution, $4.6 million in restitution and a $1700 special assessment.

Dr. Summers sold commonly abused prescription drugs in exchange for cash payments.  Dr. Summers previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, health care fraud, and money laundering, and was announced by United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen, Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan A. Wilson of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Special Agent-in-Charge, Maureen Dixon with Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

Dr. Summers operated a medical clinic on South Broad Street in Philadelphia, and sometimes operated under the business name “NASAPT” (National Association for Substance Abuse-Prevention & Treatment).  Dr. Summers employed numerous other doctors, including co-defendants Dr. Azad Khan and Dr. Keyhosrow Parsia. The defendants sold prescriptions for Suboxone and Klonopin in exchange for cash payments. Suboxone is a brand name for a drug used to treat opiate addiction. None of the defendants conducted medical examinations or mental health examinations as required by law in order to legally prescribe these controlled substances. Dr. Summers also assisted his customers in obtaining health insurance benefits for these illegally prescribed controlled substances by providing false information to health insurance companies so that his customers could fill the prescriptions using their health insurance. Many of the customers who frequented this clinic were, in fact, drug dealers or drug addicts who sold the prescribed medications. During the duration of the conspiracy, Dr. Summers illegally sold over $5 million worth of controlled substances.

“Dr. Alan Summers cared more for his financial gain, than his oath as a doctor,” said United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. “His actions helped fuel the opioid epidemic and the illegal distribution of prescription drugs. Today’s sentence should serve as a powerful deterrent to those medical professionals who might consider risking their careers and liberty for illegally profiting on the drug trade. Our office along with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and prosecute those individuals whose unscrupulous and illegal conduct contributes to this deadly epidemic.”

“Dr. Summers was responsible for the illegal distribution of millions of dollars of prescription drugs that are commonly used to treat opioid addiction, and did so solely for profit,” said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division.  “As part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office new law enforcement opioid task force, the DEA will aggressively continue to identify and investigate the doctors that are contributing to the opioid crisis affecting our region through their criminal acts.” 

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Narcotics Investigations.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Livermore.

Joseph Picchi, 49, of Hammonton, NJ, was charged today by Indictment[1] with one count of enticement of a minor announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The indictment alleges that on or about July 20-21, 2017, attempted to entice a minor online, who he believed had not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in sexual activity, for which any person could be charged with a criminal offense.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of lifetime imprisonment.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the Borough of Conshohocken Police Department, and the East Norriton Police Department and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Josh A. Davison.

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

PHILADELPHIA – The federal indictment against Philip Ahr, a/k/a “DaddyX” and “DaddyXX,” of Radnor, Delaware County, PA, was unsealed today in federal court.  The indictment charges Ahr with two counts of distribution of child pornography, two counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography, all stemming from his trafficking in hundreds of images and videos of child pornography on the Internet.  The indictment charges Ahr with committing these crimes for almost three years, beginning in 2013. 

Ahr’s initial appearance in federal court was held today.  The Honorable Lynne A. Sitarski detained him on the Government’s request pending a detention hearing scheduled for February 26, 2018. 

If convicted, Ahr faces a statutory maximum sentence of 100 years’ incarceration, a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment, 5 years up to a lifetime of supervised release, a $1,250,000 fine, and $10,500 in special assessments. 

The case was investigated by the FBI, Task Force Officer Kenneth Bellis and Special Agent Jennifer Morrow, in conjunction with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC).  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.

Brian High, 45, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was charged today by Indictment with receipt and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The Indictment alleges that High received child pornography on or about April 8, 2013, August 10, 2015, September 29, 2016, and further that High possessed child pornography on October 27, 2016.

If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 80 years’ imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 5 years’ imprisonment, supervised release for a minimum term of five years and a lifetime maximum term, a $1,000,000 dollar fine, mandatory restitution, and a $400 special assessment, except if High is found not to be indigent, which would result in an additional $15,000 mandatory special assessment, for a total of $15,400.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by the New Britain Township Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Driscoll.

A Pennsylvania couple that owned and operated an internet floral business was convicted yesterday of failing to pay over employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and of filing fraudulent personal and corporate tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  

According to the evidence introduced at trial, Andrew Bassaner (aka Andrew Bunchuk), 45, and his wife and business partner, Vicki Bunchuk, 44, owned and operated Florist Concierge Inc. (FCI).  For tax years 2010 through 2012, Bunchuk, aided and assisted by Bassaner, filed fraudulent corporate and personal income tax returns with the IRS.  They diverted funds from FCI, which they deducted as business expenses on FCI’s corporate returns and did not report as income on their personal returns.  They spent the money on personal luxuries, including a monthly rent of $17,000 for a home in Windemere, Florida.  In addition, from 2011 through 2014, Bassaner and Bunchuk filed fraudulent employment tax returns for FCI that falsely classified its employees as independent contractors.  Based on this  fraudulent classification, Bassaner and Bunchuk claimed not to owe employment taxes on the wages paid to those individuals. 

Sentencing is scheduled for June 27 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson.  The defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for each employment tax count and three years in prison for each count of filing a fraudulent return. They also face a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.  

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and Acting U.S. Attorney Lappen thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ignall and Trial Attorneys Christopher O’Donnell and Jack Morgan of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case. 

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has formed an Opioid Law Enforcement Task Force to combat the serious opioid, heroin, and fentanyl crisis.  The Task Force includes federal, state, and local, law enforcement officers and prosecutors, and will be managed by the Eastern District’s Opioid Coordinator. It will be responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating a robust prosecution response to this crisis. The office has already assembled committees of experienced federal and state prosecutors to assist law enforcement with the prosecution of transnational criminal organizations that smuggle heroin and opioids into the United States, medical professionals who unlawfully prescribe or divert highly addictive opioids, cyber criminals who distribute heroin and illicit opioids through the dark net, and drug traffickers or persons who are criminally responsible for opioid overdose deaths. 

“This isn’t a crisis any one of us can tackle alone,” said United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  “We have already been collaborating on these issues, but it is so critical we continue to work together in even more effective ways. This is the crisis of our time, and we need all hands on deck in an unprecedented way. As this crisis continues, it evolves and adapts. We also need to continue to evolve and adapt.” 

The USAO’s Opioid Law Enforcement Task Force was created in response to the designation of the opioid epidemic as a “national health emergency” and to directives from Attorney General Jefferson B. Sessions, who has made combating the opioid epidemic a top priority for the Department of Justice. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania has had a successful record of identifying and prosecuting pill mill doctors with distribution causing death, among numerous other charges. Last year, Attorney General Sessions formed an Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit to focus on identifying and prosecuting health care fraud related to prescription opioids.  

PHILADELPHIA – A federal jury yesterday returned guilty verdicts on all counts against Leaford George Cameron, 65, of Burlington, New Jersey, in connection with his operation of a fraudulent nationwide law practice. Cameron was convicted of one count of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and three counts of making false statements.

The government’s trial evidence proved that for over a decade, Cameron posed as an attorney in numerous legal cases pending in federal and state courts around the United States, defrauding over 100 victim “clients” who paid Cameron for what they believed were legitimate legal services. Cameron’s victim “clients” resided around the country and world, including in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Jamaica, and India.

To gain access to the legal system, and to deceive victims, courts, judges, and opposing lawyers, Cameron repeatedly stated in his legal motions, forms, and filings – often under the penalty of perjury – that he was an attorney with a law license issued by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Cameron, who is not a lawyer and has never been a lawyer, used multiple stolen Attorney Identification Numbers belonging to real lawyers, including an Administrative Law Judge in Washington, D.C., when filing his legal forms and motions.

To deceive the world into believing that he was a real lawyer, Cameron devised a fake law firm complete with fake lawyers and fake administrative/support staff. Cameron, who called his fraudulent firm “The Law Offices of Cameron, Hamilton and Associates” or “The Law Offices of Bernstein, Cameron, Hamilton and Associates,” invented the identities of fake lawyers with the last names “Hamilton” and “Bernstein,” neither of whom were real lawyers working at the firm. Cameron obtained and used business cards, letters, and envelopes which contained images of the scales of justice and that listed the name of his fake law firm and the other fake lawyers in the firm. Cameron submitted legal filings to courts in which he forged the name of one of the fake lawyers at his fake firm, and also communicated with victims by writing letters that he signed using different versions of a fake staff worker who Cameron called, at various times, either “Ann Marie Hyde,” “Ann Marie Hall,” or “Ann Marie Hinds.” In one letter Cameron wrote to a victim using the “Ann Marie” identity, Cameron threatened the victim that failing to pay Cameron’s legal bill would cause adverse consequences for the victim’s immigration status in the United States.

Cameron, who ran his fraudulent law practice from his house in Burlington, NJ, created fake identifiers for his home address to deceive his victims and the courts into believing that he had a real commercial office.  Specifically, Cameron added the words “Suite B-1,” “Suite B-2,” “PO Box 399,” and/or “PO Box 1399” to his letters and filings to give the impression that his house was a commercial setting. Cameron, however, knew that he could not tell the IRS or the New Jersey government that he was a lawyer in his tax returns, and risk being caught; Cameron thus stated in his tax returns that he either was a “consultant,” “litigation specialist,” or “legal consultant.”

Cameron, who claimed to have earned various degrees including a BSC, MBA, LLB and LLM, had little idea what he was doing in his victims’ legal matters, causing significant harm to his victims and their cases. In one home foreclosure case pending in the Delaware County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Cameron’s victim “client” lost her home as a result of the lawsuit; the same victim “client” later hired Cameron for a guardianship matter pending in the Probate Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia, which also resulted in a loss. Cameron also posed as a lawyer in other types of cases, including in an automobile accident case and a divorce case. Cameron also represented dozens of victim “clients” in their immigration matters pending in immigration courts around the country, including in Chicago, IL, New York City, NY, Philadelphia, PA, and Hartford, CT. Cameron’s fraudulent legal work in those cases resulted in his victim “clients” suffering serious adverse consequences, including being ordered removed from the United States.

Cameron’s sentencing was set for Thursday, May 31, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Gene E.K. Pratter. Cameron faces a statutory maximum sentence of 75 years in prison, up to $1.5 million in fines, three years of supervised release, and a $600 special assessment.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with assistance provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James Petkun.

Jaritza Torres, 32, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was charged by Information with one count of theft of government funds, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  According to the Information[1], the defendant received Social Security benefits intended for her minor child, after the child began living with another relative.  The defendant is also alleged to have falsely reported to the Social Security Administration that her child remained in her care after the child had moved.  The defendant’s alleged actions resulted in a loss to the government of approximately $26,885.          

If convicted, the defendant faces a substantial period of incarceration, a 3‑year period of supervised release, restitution to the government of $26,885, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment.

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

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

Anthony Horton, 37, of Philadelphia; Aaron Horton, Jr., 39, formerly of Philadelphia; Thomas Gillis, 39, of Philadelphia; Faith Charlton, 34, of Philadelphia; Lynda Slaughter, 36, of Sharon Hill; and Marie “Kellie” Slaughter, 32, of Philadelphia, were all charged today with conspiracy against the United States, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  According to the Indictment,[1]  the co-conspirators engaged in a long-running scheme to defraud the federal government.  Their schemes included creating false and fictitious businesses in order to use stolen identity information to collect unemployment benefits; and filing false tax returns to get refunds not due to the co-conspirators.  Substantive mail fraud, false returns, aggravated identity theft, and false statement charges are also included in the indictment.                   

If convicted, all defendants face substantial prison terms, as well as full restitution to the government. 

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General; the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations Division; and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor; and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz.

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

PHILADELPHIA – Nazik Modawi and Abboud Wali were sentenced to prison for their conspiring to bribe a SEPTA employee. Modawi, who bribed SEPTA employees on two occasions, earned a sentence of one-year imprisonment. Wali, who was involved with one of those bribes, was given a sentence of 6 months’ imprisonment. The Honorable Harvey Bartle III, United States District Judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, remarked that bribing public officials “strikes at the heart of our democracy.”

Modawi and Wali owned and operated companies, called Rides, Inc. and Safe Rides, LLC, that provided transportation services for children and adults with special needs. Modawi and Wali sought a “Disadvantaged Business Enterprise” (DBE) certification from SEPTA in order to obtain various government contracts. To expedite their application, Modawi and Wali gave cash payments to the SEPTA employee.  The total amount of the bribes given to Septa employees were $10,000. The SEPTA employee immediately alerted authorities.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, and SEPTA Office of the Inspector General.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise S. Wolf.

John Seckel, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, was charged by information with four counts of making false statements to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Seckel had been the CEO of Seckel Capital, LLC, an FHA-approved mortgage lender in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  

For the years 2012 to 2015, Seckel Capital, LLC, was a mortgage lender in Bucks County that was approved by the Federal Housing Administration to originate mortgage loans that would be insured by the FHA. John Seckel maintained the status of Seckel Capital as an FHA-approved lender during this time period by making false statements to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In particular, on four occasions from 2013 to 2016, Seckel filed audited financial statements for Seckel Capital that Seckel had forged. Seckel also, four times, filed certifications falsely claiming that he had met the net worth and other requirements to be approved as an FHA lender. 

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of eight years’ imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurie Magid.

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

            An Indictment[1]  was returned today charging Justin David May, 28, of Wilmington, Delaware, with 24 counts of mail fraud, 16 counts of money laundering, 3 counts of interstate transportation of goods obtained by fraud, and 2 counts of tax evasion, announced Interim United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

            The Indictment alleges that May perpetrated two separate schemes to defraud Cisco Systems Inc. and Microsoft. The Indictment alleges that in each scheme, May obtained serial numbers to valuable computer hardware, registered false domain names, obtained false email addresses, and submitted false warranty claims, pretending to own computer hardware that he did not to own and claiming that it was not working. The Indictment alleges that May provided the customer service representatives with descriptions of the non-existent defects that he knew they could not solve by troubleshooting and would require have to be replaced with new computer hardware. The Indictment alleges that May travelled from his home in Wilmington, Delaware, the FedEx stores in the Philadelphia area, as well as out of state in places such as Reno, Nevada, to pick up the fraudulently-obtained computer hardware, then travelled with it across state lines and sold it. The Indictment alleges that May laundered the fraud proceeds by cashing the checks at a check cashing business rather than depositing them in his bank account. The Indictment alleges that May attempted to obtain over $4,000,000 worth of Cisco products and successfully obtained well over $2,000,000 worth of Cisco products as a result of the scheme. The Indictment also alleges that May attempted to obtain over $600,000 worth of Microsoft hardware and successfully obtained over $300,000 of Microsoft hardware as a result of the scheme.

            May faces a maximum sentence of 1,029 years’ incarceration, a five-year period of supervised release, a fine of $7,153,400, and restitution of at least $2,506,196. He also faces a likely advisory sentencing guideline range of somewhere between 135 and 168 months’ imprisonment. 

            The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. Lowe.

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

PHILADELPHIA – Herik A. Jaramillo, 29, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania was charged today by Indictment with six counts of robbery which interferes with interstate commerce in violation of the Hobbs Act, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

If convicted on all counts, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 120 years in prison, plus possible fines, supervised release, and special assessments.

This case was investigated by the Bethlehem Police Department, the Lehigh Valley Violent Gang Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Stengel.

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

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

PHILADELPHIA – Kenneth W. Lewis 41, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by Grand Jury Indictment with five counts of wire fraud announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The indictment alleges the defendant committed wire fraud by applying for credit cards using information for several non-profit organizations and an individual and used the cards to purchase gold coins, precious metals, and diamond earrings. 

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment for each count of conviction for wire fraud. A conviction for aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory 2-year sentence, 1 year supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 statutory assessment per count. 

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiwana Wright.

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

Joseph Massimino, Jr., of the 700 block of Mountain Street in Philadelphia, was charged today by Indictment with one count of possession with the intent to distribution an array of controlled substances - methamphetamine (actual), fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, and methadone - in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), as well as with one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment, and a mandatory term of imprisonment of fifteen years.

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy B. Winter.

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

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania encourages the public to be aware of the possibility of sex trafficking during the NFC Championship game weekend in and around the Philadelphia area.

“We need members of the public to help law enforcement identify predators and victims of sex trafficking, especially this weekend,” said United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  “Tragically, large events like the NFC Championship football game that draw out-of-town crowds also lure sex traffickers, who prey on the most vulnerable members of our community. We must all work together to prevent these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.”   

In recognition of January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the Department of Justice has been encouraging everyone to familiarize themselves with the warning signs of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a federal crime involving the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit someone for labor, services, or commercial sex, or the use of juveniles to engage in prostitution.  Victims are commonly Americans, but may also be foreign nationals.

Be aware of signs that may indicate someone is being held against her or his will and trafficked for sex:

• They do not hold their own identity or travel documents;
• They appear to suffer from verbal or psychological abuse designed to intimidate, degrade, or frighten;
• They are not permitted to speak for themselves;
• They are extremely nervous, especially if the victim’s “translator” is their trafficker; and
• They are not allowed to move about by themselves and seem to have little understanding of where they are.

The Eastern District of Pennsylvania has aggressively pursued sex trafficking prosecutions with great success. As recently as December 6, 2017, Kevino Graham, 36, of Philadelphia was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison for sex trafficking. Along with his three co-defendants, the defendant engaged in acts of force, threats, fraud and coercion to cause young women to engage in prostitution, including subjecting them to repeated acts of sadistic sexual torture.

Please report a potential sex-trafficking incident please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.  

Douglas M. Marinos, 56, a licensed attorney, pled guilty today to one-count of willfully failing to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over to the United States taxes owed by his Allentown law firm, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The Criminal Information to which Marinos pled guilty alleges that Marinos failed to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) money that he withheld from the paychecks of his firm’s employees, ostensibly for the purpose of paying federal payroll taxes (including Social Security and Medicare trust fund contributions).

Marinos will be sentenced at a later date. He could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. In addition, as part of his plea agreement, Marinos is required to pay approximately $285,000 in restitution to the IRS.

The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean P. McDonnell.

Marco Antonio D’Argnt Reategui, a/k/a “Francisco D'Argent,” a/k/a “Jorge Ortiz,” of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by Indictment with illegal reentry after deportation, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  The indictment alleges that on or about December 13, 2017, D’Argnt Reategui, an alien, and native and citizen of Peru, was found in the United States after having been deported from the United States on or about September 4, 2012.

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

The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ERO”), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Stengel.

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

PHILADELPHIA – Matthew Maffei, aka “Uncle Matt,” of Aston, Delaware County, PA, was sentenced today to 90 years in federal prison for his manufacture of sexually explicit images of the 7-year old daughter of his childhood friend, and the transportation, receipt, and possession of child pornography.  The Honorable Mitchell S. Goldberg, United States Disitirct Judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, also imposed lifetime supervised release, a $20,000 assessment pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, $5,000 in restitution, and a $400 special assessment.  Maffei, a first time offender, previously pled guilty to all charges in the federal indictment.

The Government sought the statutory maximum sentence of 90 years based on the defendant’s horrific sexual abuse of the young victim.  Maffei sexually abused the 7-year old child in the victim’s own home, as her parents slept in the next bedroom.  He also forced the victim’s 5-year old brother to witness his abuse of the 7-year old on one occasion, and threatened to kill both children if they told their parents what Maffei had done.  As part of the sexual assaults on this child, the defendant defecated on her face.  Calling the sexual assaults “unspeakable,” the District Court imposed a prison sentence of 90 years, asking the parents to assure the victim and her brother that “this defendant will never in this lifetime be released from custody.” 

The case was investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC), as well as the Middleton Township, DE Police Department.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.

PHILADELPHIA – Richard Cundari, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $307,500 to resolve civil fraud claims under the False Claims Act. The government’s claims concern allegations that Cundari applied for and received occupational disability annuities that he was ineligible to receive due to income earnings in excess of the applicable limits. The civil resolution was announced today by United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

The Railroad Retirement Act provides benefits, in the form of occupational disability annuities, for railroad workers whose permanent physical or mental condition is such that they are unable to engage in any regular employment. The occupational disability annuity program is administered by the United States Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) and is financed by taxes paid by railroad employees. To qualify for these federal benefits, a worker’s income may not exceed certain limits established by the RRB. Benefits cannot be claimed or paid for any month in which a claimant earns income in excess of these limits. Disabled railroad workers who meet the requirements of the program must disclose to the RRB any employment and income that might affect their entitlement to benefits. Prior to 2007, the monthly earnings limit was $400 after deduction of disability-related work expenses. Beginning in 2007, the monthly earnings cap for disability annuitants increased as follows: 2007 – $700; 2008 – $730; 2009 – $770.

The government alleges that defendant Richard Cundari applied for and received disability benefits for approximately nine years – from 2001 through 2009 – during which time his income vastly exceeded the limit for disability benefit eligibility. For each year during that time period, Cundari received monthly benefit checks and deposited each check into his personal bank account. Due to his substantial other income, the government alleges that Cundari was not eligible to receive disability benefits and that Cundari knew he was not eligible to receive these benefits.

The claims resolved by this settlement agreement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

The allegations arose from an investigation led by Special Agent Stephen Naudasher of the Railroad Retirement Board Office of Inspector General. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys David A. Degnan and Charlene Keller Fullmer

William Key, 86, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by Information with one count of theft of government funds, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  According to the Information[1], the defendant received retirement benefits under two different names from September 2004 until November 2016.  The defendant’s alleged actions resulted in a loss to the government of approximately $57,536.40.          

If convicted, the defendant faces a ten-year term of imprisonment, a 3‑year period of supervised release, restitution to the government of $57,536.40, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Pennsylvania State Police, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Christopher E. Parisi.

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

Philadelphia - Attorney General Jeff Sessions has selected the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to receive additional resources for the fight against violent crime.  The district will receive an additional Assistant U.S. Attorney to focus exclusively on violent crime, one of 40 new federal prosecutors in 27 selected locations throughout the United States.

“Led by our 94 United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) task forces are hitting the streets across America to apprehend and bring violent criminals to justice.  I have asked Congress for additional PSN funding next year because I believe nothing will be more effective at reducing violent crime,” said Attorney General Sessions. "Under this program, I am asking a great deal of our United States Attorneys.  I am both empowering them and holding them accountable for results.  To put them in the best position to impact and reduce violent crime, it is my privilege to announce today that through a re-allocation of resources, we will be enlisting and deploying 40 additional violent crime prosecutors across the United States."

“While all of us in law enforcement in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania have made substantial progress in reducing violent crime rates, many of our communities are still facing untenable levels of violent crime,” said United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  “We must continue to work together to keep our citizens safe, and adding additional resources to this effort will only enhance our commitment to public safety.”

More information on the locations of those 40 Assistant United States Attorneys and violent crime task forces is below:

AUSA Breakdown by District

Northern District of Alabama - 1
Eastern District of Arkansas - 1
Northern District of California - 2
Southern District of California - 1
District of Connecticut - 1
District of Columbia - 1
Central District of Illinois - 1
Northern District of Illinois - 3
Southern District of Indiana - 1
Eastern District of Louisiana - 1
District of Maryland - 3
Western District of Michigan - 1
Eastern District of Missouri - 2
Western District of Missouri - 1
District of Nevada - 2
District of New Mexico - 1
Eastern District of New York - 2
Western District of New York - 1
Northern District of Ohio - 2
Eastern District of Pennsylvania - 1
Middle District of Tennessee - 2
Western District of Tennessee - 2
Eastern District of Texas - 1
Northern District of Texas - 1
Southern District of Texas - 2
Western District of Texas - 1
Eastern District of Wisconsin - 2

Sergio Jonathan Caal-Melendez, of Wilmington, DE, was charged today by Indictment with illegal reentry after deportation, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  The indictment alleges that on or about November 27, 2017, Caal-Melendez, an alien, and native and citizen of Guatemala, was found in the United States after having been deported from the United States on or about May 21, 2008.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of two years.

The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ERO”), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah M. Wolfe.

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

PHILADELPHIA – Yesterday a federal jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts against four men from Philadelphia, Basil Bey, 28, Reginald White, 31, Tyrik Upchurch, 30, and Amin Wadley, 26, in connection with their participation in a large heroin and crack cocaine distribution group.  Bey, White, Upchurch, and Wadley were each convicted of one count of conspiracy and one count of distribution of a controlled substance. Bey and White were also each convicted of one count of distributing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a playground.

As presented at trial, from at least April 2015 through December 2016, Bey was the leader of a narcotics distribution group that sold heroin and crack cocaine nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week to customers in South Philadelphia. The group, which included White, Upchurch, and Wadley as members, sold its customers narcotics by use of a cellular telephone, which would result in the delivery of narcotics by vehicle. Members of the group worked shifts in order to serve their narcotics customers day or night. Bey, Upchurch, and Wadley also maintained residences around Philadelphia in order to store and package the narcotics for distribution.  Due to the dedicated efforts of law enforcement in this case, approximately thirty-five controlled purchases of heroin and/or crack were made from this drug group—all captured on video.  Law enforcement also lawfully obtained a wiretap that captured some of the group’s activities on its telephone. 

Basil Bey and Amin Wadley each face a mandatory minimum term of 10 years’ imprisonment, with a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison and other penalties.  Tyrik Upchurch and Reginald White each face a mandatory minimum of 20 years’ imprisonment, with a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison and other penalties.  U.S. District Court Judge Gerald McHugh has not yet scheduled sentencing hearings for the four men. 

Five other coconspirators of Bey, White, Upchurch, and Wadley have already pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Jerome Lyles, 33, of Philadelphia, was also indicted* as part of this narcotics distribution group, and a reward is being offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for information that leads to his arrest.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Philadelphia Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Bologna and Kevin Jayne.

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

PHILADELPHIA – The Justice Department today announced settlements with Physician’s Alliance Ltd. (PAL), for allegedly receiving illegal remuneration in exchange for patient referrals to hospitals owned by the now-defunct Health Management Associates (HMA).

PAL, headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and three of its executives, Lee Meyers, Michael Warren, M.D. and Wallace Longton, M.D., agreed to resolve allegations that, from 2009 until 2012, PAL accepted illegal remuneration from HMA to refer patients to two HMA hospitals, Lancaster Regional Medical Center and Heart of Lancaster Medical Center.  Under the settlement, PAL and its executives will pay $4 million plus a percentage of proceeds from the sale of PAL’s interest in a joint venture with HMA.       

“These physicians and executives prioritized their own financial interests over the needs of their patients,” said United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. “Such conduct compromises patient care and undermines the integrity of our nation’s federal health care programs. This settlement should serve as a warning to all providers who allow financial incentives to displace their medical judgment.”

 “The Hippocratic oath enjoins physicians to do no harm, not maximize profits by pocketing illegal referral bribes,” said Nicholas DiGiulio, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Physicians that stray from their oath should not be surprised when they come under law enforcement scrutiny.” 

Under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, private individuals may sue on behalf of the government for false claims and share in any recovery.   George E. Miller and Michael J. Metts, former HMA hospital executives, filed suit in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleging the scheme between PAL and HMA. Miller’s and Metts’ share of the settlement has not yet been determined.

The settlement was the result of a civil prosecution by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania led by Assistant United States Attorneys Charlene Keller Fullmer and Veronica Finklestein. The investigations were conducted by the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

The case is captioned United States ex rel. Miller & Metts v. HMA, et al, Case No. 14-00339 (D.D.C.).  

The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

James Williams, 30, of Philadelphia, PA, and Aisha Jones, 28, of Bristol, PA, were charged today by Indictment[1] with one count of distribution of heroin, one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and, as to Williams only, one count of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

If convicted, Williams faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum five years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a mandatory minimum three years of supervised release up to lifetime supervised release, a $2,500,000 fine, and a $400 special assessment.  Jones, if convicted, faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum five years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a mandatory minimum three years of supervised release up to lifetime supervised release, a $2,250,000 fine, and a $300 special assessment.

The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and the Bensalem Township Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Schell.

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

Kenneth Reyes, 43, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by Indictment with three counts of bank robbery, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrea G. Foulkes.

Miguel Angel Vasquez-Camacho, of New Garden Township, PA, was charged today by Indictment with illegal reentry after deportation, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  The indictment alleges that on or about November 29, 2013, Vazquez-Camacho, an alien, and native and citizen of Mexico, was found in the United States after having been deported from the United States on or about January 5, 1999.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of two years.

The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ERO”), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bea Witzleben.

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

Idrissa Koita, 45 of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Louis D. Lappen.

Koita worked as a tax return preparer for the companies The Ledgerking, Inc. and Medmans Financial Services.  Between January 2009 and May 2012, Koita claimed false credits, false deductions and false dependents on federal tax returns for his clients in order to increase their tax refunds.  During the same years, Koita also falsified his own personal tax returns by claiming false credits and false dependents.

According to the United States Attorney’s office, Koita pleaded guilty to preparing and filing false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service.  Koita also pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft stemming from claiming false dependents on tax returns. 

Koita’s tax preparation scheme resulted in a tax loss to the federal government in the amount of $2,073,567.54.  In addition to Koita’s 24 month prison sentence, he will also be required to serve 3 years’ probation and pay back $60,911 in restitution.

The case was investigation by Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Wzorek.