Former Employee Pleads Guilty To Stealing $1,800 From DEA

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former employee of the Drug Enforcement Administration pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government money, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Holly A. Cook, 44, of Monongahela, Pa., pleaded guilty to one felony count before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in June 2012, Cook embezzled $1,800.00 in cash from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, knowing that she was not entitled to this money.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for Sept. 10, 2013 at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The court released Cook on a $10,000 unsecured bond pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the Information in this case.