The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a criminal Information was filed today in U.S. District Court in Scranton charging Robert Vargeson, age 46 of Galeton, Pennsylvania with falsification of financial records.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Vargeson was responsible for the financial records of Communications Workers of America, Local Union 88329, and during 2012 - 2013, he falsified those records to conceal the fact that he had embezzled approximately $6,373 from the funds of the union.
If convicted, Vargeson faces a maximum penalty of one year incarceration and a $100,000 fine.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is one year imprisonment and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Department of Labor and prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Lorna Graham.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
