BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Bishara Lott, 41, a Buffalo, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara, to production of counterfeit currency. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Rogowski, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant used a personal computer to print $5,090 in counterfeit $20, $50, and $100 bills. On July 2, 2013, Lott attempted to sell the counterfeit currency to an undercover operative of the Secret Service in return for $500 in genuine currency.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tracy Gast.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2014, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
