PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ A resident of Munhall, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to bank fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Deja Scott, 22, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Alan N. Bloch.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Scott, an employee of Citizens Bank, defrauded the bank by sharing customer account information with other persons, who used that information to open up debit cards, forge checks, and transfer funds from account holders.

Judge Bloch scheduled sentencing for July 28, 2011, at 11:30 a.m.  The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Inspectors from the United States Postal Inspection Service along with agents from the United States Secret Service who, as part of the Western Pennsylvania Financial Crimes Task Force (WPFCTF), conducted the investigation that led to the Indictment in this case. The WPFCTF was established in February 1995 as a collaborative, multi‑agency effort to effectively combat financial crimes, including identity fraud, in Western Pennsylvania.  Partnering in this effort are the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania State Police.

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