Pittsburgh Man Conspired With Georgia Residents In Fraud Scheme

PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh man has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of wire fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Frank Smith, 69, pleaded guilty to count one before Nora Barry Fischer.

According to information presented to the Court at the guilty plea, Smith conspired with persons from Georgia to open bank accounts in Pittsburgh into which he deposited federal tax refunds obtained from false tax returns containing stolen identities.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for March 5, 2014, at 9 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 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 offenses 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 Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Frank Smith remains in custody of the USMS pending sentencing.