January 28, 2011

SECOND LUZERNE COUNTY BANK TELLER CHARGED
WITH CONSPIRING TO COMMIT THEFT

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today the filing of an Information charging Mary Ann Wright, age 42, of Kingston, with conspiring to commit theft from the Kingston, Luzerne County, Branch Office of First Keystone National Bank.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, the Information alleges that between 2009 and 2010, Wright and another person, who were employed as bank tellers, together embezzled more than $7000 in currency from their teller "cash drawers," and, in anticipation of bank audits, would remove money from each other's "cash drawers" in order to hide the cash discrepancies.

     If convicted, Wright faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, followed by a three- year term of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

     Previously, the United States Attorney's Office announced the filing of an information charging Jennifer Sgroi, age 30, of Wyoming, Luzerne County, with conspiring to commit theft from First Keystone National Bank. Sgroi was also employed as a bank teller at the Kingston Branch Office.

     The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Prosecution has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O'Hara.

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An Indictment or Information is not evidence of guilt but simply a description of the charge made by the Grand Jury and/or United States Attorney against a defendant. A charged defendant is presumed innocent until a jury returns a unanimous finding that the United States has proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt or until the defendant has pled guilty to the charges.