Pittsburgh Woman Charged With Defrauding Federal Employees' Compensation Fund

PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Federal Employees’ Compensation Fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The four-count indictment named Laureen Priore, 55, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Priore, in connection with the application and receipt of federal employees’ compensation moneys and benefits, concealed and covered up material facts, that is, that she was self-employed and involved in a business enterprise. Priore’s fraudulent conduct resulted in compensation payments totaling approximately $74,762.35 being issued to her during the period from July 1, 2012, to Sept. 12, 2014, payments Priore knew she was not entitled to receive. Priore also submitted false and fraudulent statements to the federal government concerning her employment status. Among the false statements submitted by Priore to the federal government, Priore submitted a statement on July 23, 2013, in which she falsely represented that she was not self-employed, knowing that she was self-employed and engaged in a business enterprise.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence on each count of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 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 Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, 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.