Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein Recognizes Four Eastern District of Pennsylvania Employees at Awards Ceremony

WASHINGTON, DC—United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that three Assistant United States Attorneys and a forensic analyst from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania were recognized for their distinguished public service at the 34th Annual Director’s Awards Ceremony.  U.S. Attorney McSwain, along with honorees Assistant United States Attorneys David Ignall, Mary Beth Leahy, David Troyer, and forensic analyst Cyndi Fusco, were invited to Washington D.C. for the event held on June 15 in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.  Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Director James Crowell, IV, of the Executive Office of the U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA), presented the awards.

“Every day, Dave, Mary Beth, Dave, and Cyndi serve the people of our District by bringing to bear their superior abilities and steadfast dedication in pursuing justice.  I was gratified that EOUSA spotlighted my colleagues’ work in this meaningful way, and I know I speak for everyone when I say this office is very proud of their achievements.”

These AUSAs were recognized for their significant contributions on two specific cases, and Ms. Fusco was honored for her outstanding work as a forensic analyst in the Criminal Division, as follows:

United States v. Brian Hartline and Barry Bekkedam – AUSA David Ignall

AUSA Ignall successfully prosecuted this fraud conspiracy case culminating in a nationally significant four-week trial of Brian Hartline and Barry Bekkedam, co-founders of NOVA Bank. Hartline and Bekkedam were convicted for attempting to defraud the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) established to bring the country out of the 2008-09 fiscal crisis.

During the relevant time period, Hartline served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of NOVA Bank, and Barry Bekkedam served as NOVA Bank Board Chairman.  Bekkedam also owned and operated a financial advisory company, Ballamour Capital Management, and advised Ballamour clients to invest in NOVA Bank.  This complex case involved an attempt to defraud the TARP out of more than $13 million through a scheme to make NOVA bank appear more financially sound than it was so that NOVA would be eligible to receive the TARP funds.  Both defendants were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States, major fraud against the United States, and making false statements to government regulators and were sentenced to prison.

United States v. William O’Brien et al. – AUSA Mary Beth Leahy and AUSA David Troyer

AUSA Leahy and AUSA Troyer successfully prosecuted William O’Brien, III, a doctor of osteopathic medicine who operated a “pill mill” through multiple medical practices in the Philadelphia area.  O’Brien used members of the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang to run his offices, recruit fake customers, enforce collections, and distribute large quantities of oxycodone, methadone, and other drugs to drug dealers and drug addicts.  The scheme was one of the largest in the Philadelphia area, generating millions of dollars in illegal drug revenues laundered via various means and resulting in the death of at least one 30-year-old patient who overdosed from a lethal combination of oxycodone and methadone.    

Financial Analyst – Cyndi Fusco

In her fourteen years with the office, Ms. Fusco has spearheaded financial investigations of our most complex cases.  She has investigated fraud, public corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, extortion and tax evasion.  Ms. Fusco has created detailed analyses of financial facts, prepared summary charts, prepared witnesses for testimony, testified as the financial investigator, and directed interviews involving financial accountants and experts.  She also developed a protocol to monitor social media of targets to locate hidden assets.  Her cases have resulted in lengthy sentences, large forfeitures, and restitution.