Sewickley Heights Man Pleads Guilty In Fraud Scheme

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of bankruptcy fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

David F. Baker III, 62, of Sewickley Heights, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, Baker conspired to defraud J.P. Morgan and Washington Mutual Bank in mortgage applications in 2005 and 2007 on a $2.5 million condominium in Sarasota, Fla.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for May 17, 2013. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 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 that led to the prosecution of David F. Baker, III.