PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh woman pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of Federal Employees’ Compensation Fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Cindy A. Elsesser, 45, pleaded guilty to one felony count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
According to information presented to the Court at the guilty plea, Elsesser, in connection with the application and receipt of federal employees’ compensation moneys and benefits, concealed and covered up the fact that she was employed. Elsesser’s fraudulent conduct resulted in compensation payments totaling approximately $4,771.41 being issued to her during the period from April 1, 2011, to March 11, 2013, payments Elsesser knew she was not entitled to receive.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for Sept. 15, 2014 at 10 am. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentence, the court released Elsesser on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the plea of guilty in this case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
