Anthony Calaiaro, Bank Fraud, PA 2016

Anthony Calaiaro, 34, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, forged and cashed more than $827,000 in stolen checks from the law firm where he worked, pleading guilty in federal court to one count of bank fraud. The crime was executed over a 22-month stretch, from June 2014 to April 2016, while Calaiaro held the trusted position of office manager.

Using his access to firm finances, Calaiaro repeatedly forged the signature of a partner to write checks payable to himself. He then laundered the stolen funds through various cashing outlets across Allegheny County, slipping the money into his personal life without detection—until now. The total loss to the firm: $827,020.39.

The fraud unraveled after internal discrepancies raised red flags, prompting a forensic review that traced the fraudulent transactions directly to Calaiaro. Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl, built the case with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

Calaiaro appeared before United States District Judge David S. Cercone, where he entered a guilty plea on the bank fraud charge. No plea deal details have been disclosed, but the consequences loom heavy. The law allows for a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison and a fine of $1,000,000.00, or both.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence will hinge on the severity of the offense and Calaiaro’s criminal history, if any. Judge Cercone has scheduled sentencing for June 22, 2018, at 11 a.m., where the full weight of the law will be weighed.

United States Attorney Scott W. Brady, overseeing the Western District of Pennsylvania, confirmed the prosecution’s push for full accountability. ‘This wasn’t a mistake—it was a calculated theft by someone in a position of trust,’ Brady said. ‘We’re ensuring he answers for every dollar stolen.’

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