ROCHESTER, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced that Cassie Tillinghast, 32, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to bank fraud before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who is handling the case, stated that in May 2015, the defendant was hired as an in-home health care aide to assist with the care of Victim 1’s elderly mother in the home of Victim 1 and her husband. Subsequently, Tillinghast fraudulently applied for a Discover credit card in the name of Victim 1, and between Nov. 25, 2015, and Dec. 21, 2015, the defendant fraudulently used the Discover credit card in Victim 1’s name at retail establishments in the Western District of New York to obtain goods and merchandise. Discover Financial Services suffered a total loss of $6,462.89.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Service Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Shelly Binkowski, Boston Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 8, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
