Three Area Woman Charged Separately For Stealing Unemployment Compensation Benefits

PITTSBURGH - Three Allegheny County residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, on charges of theft of government money and making false statements to obtain unemployment compensation for federal service, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Each of the three defendants was indicted separately. A three-count indictment named Jennifer Lang, 39, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Sandra Delval, 39, of Carnegie, Pa.; and Sharday Thornhill, 27, of Turtle Creek, Pa.

According to the indictments presented to the court, each defendant converted to her own use unemployment compensation benefit payments, benefits of which she knew she was not entitled.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 12 years in prison, a fine of $450,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Koleen Kirkwood is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Inspector General for Tax Administration, Debt Management Section conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.