Colamarino Gets Six Months for Bank Fraud Scheme

PITTSBURGH, PA – Jennifer Colamarino, 35, of Cranberry Township, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced for a calculated scheme to defraud Allegheny Valley Bank. The former Butler County resident received six months imprisonment, followed by six months of home detention and five years of supervised release, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The sentence was handed down by Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose. Beyond the time behind bars and under supervision, Colamarino is also on the hook for $62,842.57 in restitution – the full amount she illegally obtained from the bank. This isn’t a slap on the wrist, but whether it truly deters others remains to be seen.

According to court documents, Colamarino’s scheme ran from October 2014 to March 2015. She exploited a closed PNC Bank account, using it to funnel approximately 94 fraudulent online payments toward her husband’s Allegheny Valley Bank credit card. It was a brazen attempt to live beyond her means, using a ghost account to mask the deceit.

Once the fraudulent payments hit the account, Colamarino didn’t hesitate to rack up purchases on the Allegheny Valley Bank credit card at various locations. Crucially, she made no legitimate payments on the account during this period. The bank absorbed the full brunt of her dishonesty, resulting in the $62,842.57 loss. This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment; it was sustained, deliberate fraud.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl skillfully prosecuted the case, building a solid case against Colamarino. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation, painstakingly unraveling the layers of deception. Acting United States Attorney Song specifically commended the FBI for their work, highlighting the importance of federal agencies working together to combat financial crimes.

This case serves as a stark reminder that online fraud, no matter how seemingly complex, will be pursued and prosecuted. While six months may seem lenient to some, the combination of imprisonment, home detention, supervised release, and substantial restitution sends a message: defrauding financial institutions carries serious consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor this case and report on similar instances of financial malfeasance.