Financial Officer Pleads Guilty To Embezzling From Second Employer
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, April 22, 2010, that Kenneth C. Gerst, Jr., formerly a resident of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft from an organization receiving federal funds.
Gerst, age 47, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney advised the court that in and around March 2008, Gerst, while employed by Weiblinger's Residential Care Inc. (WRCI) of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, as its Fiscal Director, embezzled more than $137,000 from the company. At the time, WRCI was receiving benefits under federal programs through the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Gerst is presently serving a prison sentence on his conviction in federal court in October 2007 for similar conduct involving his theft of more than $450,000 from Family Hospice and Palliative Care in Pittsburgh.
Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for August 24, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gerst.
