Clairton Resident Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Charges

PITTSBURGH, Pa - A resident of Clairton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Tracey Smith, age 56, pleaded guilty to four counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in 2023, Smith was hired as a comptroller at a Pittsburgh engineering firm where she embezzled company funds for her personal use by issuing herself additional payroll checks to herself, making unauthorized credit card transactions with company credit cards, and by falsifying expense reports, all totaling approximately $673,556.80 in embezzled funds.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for July 17, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both as to each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Smith.