Patricia Hutchins, a 53-year-old resident of Brockport, NY, has pleaded guilty to making a false statement in federal court. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. This charge carries a potential maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire detailed the case against Hutchins, explaining that in July 2021, U.S. Postal Inspectors executed a search warrant at her residence in Greece, seizing documents, cash, and electronic devices linked to wire fraud schemes including Unemployment Insurance fraud, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud, and elder fraud. Hutchins was arrested in October 2022 on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.
On May 1, 2024, she admitted guilt to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is awaiting sentencing for that offense. As part of her plea agreement for this charge, Hutchins agreed to pay restitution: $20,052 to a financial institution for a fraudulent PPP loan disbursement and $25,100 to an elderly individual deceived into sending money under false pretenses.
In October 2024 during a sentencing hearing in federal court where she appeared before Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr., Hutchins claimed she had invested the proceeds from selling her home into a retirement account instead of paying restitution as previously required by the court. Consequently, her sentencing was postponed with instructions from the court to use those funds for restitution.
Later in December 2024 at another sentencing hearing appearance before Judge Geraci Jr., Hutchins alleged she spent all her money buying gift cards for someone she identified as Kenny Chesney—a claim used previously when accused of misappropriating funds from victims and the government.
An investigation revealed that approximately $47,000 from her home sale had been deposited into her bank account one month prior to the scheduled October sentencing date; however significant withdrawals were made through purchases totaling about $23,500 worth of gift cards at various merchants like Walgreens and Home Depot leading up until November end leaving only around $1k remaining without any victim compensation paid out yet according law enforcement findings .
Further investigations exposed additional credit card fraud activities committed by Hutchins involving unauthorized payments amounting over fourteen thousand dollars using another person's bank account towards settling personal debts owed which added onto existing restitution obligations bringing it close sixty-thousand dollars altogether needing reimbursement according terms outlined within plea deal arrangements reached between parties involved here today now officially confirmed following latest developments seen recently unfolding regarding ongoing proceedings currently underway related thereto...
This plea stems from collaborative investigative efforts conducted jointly between both United States Postal Inspection Service led regionally Boston Division Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward alongside Department Labor representatives actively participating throughout entire process culminating final resolution anticipated upcoming fall season slated occur next scheduled hearing date set early October later year involving aforementioned matters discussed hereinabove concluded definitively once verdict rendered ultimately determined accordingly thereafter expectedly soon thereafter too hopefully!
Hutchins' combined sentencing on both counts—fraudulent activity alongside providing misleading statements authorities concerned handling these affairs responsibly dutifully continues onward apace meanwhile...
