Pittsburgh Man Admits Defrauding Citizens and First Niagara Banks

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has plead guilty in federal court to a charge of bank fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Alvin R. Simmons, 56, of Pittsburgh, PA, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, Simmons used fraudulent personal checks to buy postage stamps at Post Offices in western Pennsylvania, and committed bank fraud upon Citizens and First Niagara banks.

The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both at each count. 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 United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Alvin R. Simmons.