William J. Edwards, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today that a one count Information was filed charging Frank M. Pignatelli of Akron, Ohio, and Denver, Colorado, with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. The information alleges that Frank Pignatelli advised other individuals to open an antique/artifact store as a front through which to channel proceeds of the sales of controlled substances. The information further alleges that Frank Pignatelli took cash which he knew was proceeds of drug trafficking.

The investigative agencies and departments which helped in this investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service (CID), Summit County Drug Unit, Medina County Drug Unit, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Medina County Prosecutor’s Office, Summit County Sheriff’s Office and the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case including the defendant’s prior criminal history, if any, the
defendants’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed that statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less that the maximum.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bulford.
An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.