Energy Pricing Scammers Busted

Philadelphia, PA – In a shocking case of corporate greed, three individuals have been charged with a brazen energy pricing scheme that left unsuspecting businesses paying top dollar for their power needs.

According to court documents, Michael Mateja, a 27-year-old Massachusetts native, and his accomplices, Matthew Morgan, 39, of Schnecksville, PA, and Samuel Puleo, 26, of Fogelsville, PA, allegedly ran a company called Coastal Energy, LLC, which brokered energy contracts between commercial businesses and energy suppliers.

Between June 2011 and February 2013, Mateja and Puleo allegedly solicited clients, promising them fixed rates for kilowatt hours. However, in a shocking twist, they altered the contracts without their clients’ knowledge, changing the terms from ‘Fixed All-Inclusive’ to ‘Energy Only,’ which resulted in higher per-kilowatt hour prices for the unsuspecting businesses.

The scam, which was allegedly uncovered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has left many wondering how such a brazen scheme could have gone undetected for so long. According to court documents, Mateja and Morgan are also charged with obstruction of justice for attempting to delete documents from Coastal’s computers.

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of at least 20 years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Axelrod, who has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. ‘We will not tolerate such egregious behavior in our community,’ he said.

The indictment in this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in the business world. As we continue to uncover more details about this shocking scheme, one thing is clear: those who engage in such behavior will be held accountable.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, only in the Grimy Times.