LACKAWAXEN MAN FEDERALLY SENTENCED ON FRAUD-RELATED CHARGES AFTER INVOLVEMENT IN FRAUDULENT STUDENT LOAN SCHEME

Dennis C. Pfannenschmidt, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that Brain Fazio, 30, of Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced last week by United States District Judge Edwin M. Kosik to 18 months’ imprisonment for committing a fraud-related offense.

According to United States Attorney Pfannenschmidt, Fazio entered a guilty plea to a criminal information charging him with mail fraud, in connection with Fazio’s scheme to submit fraudulent student loan applications. Fazio submitted student loan applications to various financial institutions, claiming to attend colleges that he was not attending, and for expenses beyond that allowed for the institution he did, in fact attend.

Judge Kosik ordered that Fazio be placed on supervised release for three years, following his release from federal prison; that he pay a $100 special assessment; and that he pay $102,109 in restitution.

United States Attorney Pfannenschmidt noted that under the United States Sentencing Guidelines currently in effect, parole has been abolished, and Brian Fazio will be required to serve at least 85% of his sentence, assuming he receives full time off for good behavior while in prison. Fazio will be serving the sentence at an institution designated by the United States Bureau of Prisons.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd K. Hinkley.

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