Rochester Woman Pleads Guilty To Mail Fraud

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Phally Suong, 35, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to mail fraud before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that Suong worked as a customer service representative for Rochester Gas & Electric Company. The defendant used her position to access RG&E billing systems and alter customer information for inactive accounts awaiting refunds. Suong changed the information in the system from the actual customer’s name to the names of herself and family and friends. As a result, fraudulent refund checks were mailed to the defendant and other individuals totaling over $199,000. 

Co-defendant Hoeub Chan received a number of fraudulent refund checks totaling over $72,000 and was sentenced to one year in prison.

Today’s plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen.

 Sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2016 before Judge Geraci.