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Press Release

Murrysville Woman Sentenced To Prison For Defrauding Employer, Stealing Credit Cards

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A Murrysville resident has been sentenced in federal court to 42 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release on convictions of mail fraud, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry imposed the sentence on Dawn Penzera-Lackey, 41.

According to information presented to the court, Penzera-Lackey engaged in two separate schemes to steal money. In the first scheme, while employed as a food manager at a country club, Penzera-Lackey stole an $1,800 check from her employer that she was supposed to use to pay a vendor. After depositing the check into her personal bank account, Penzera-Lackey attempted to defraud the vendor by mailing to the vendor a bogus check drawn on an account that had long been closed. In the second scheme, Penzera-Lackey stole three credit cards from friends, who were owners of a small business. Penzera-Lackey then used the credit cards to make various purchases for her and family members totaling $16,660.30. Penzera-Lackey also admitted responsibility for uncharged conduct relating to a theft of $3284.24 from a different employer.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge McVerry stated that Penzera-Lackey has demonstrated little respect for the law as evidenced by her history of repeated criminal conduct.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the United States Secret Service, the Belle Acres Borough Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police, Belle Vernon Barracks for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Penzera-Lackey.

Updated July 14, 2015