Deborah Cassini, Wire Fraud and Tax Evasion, Venetia PA, 2023

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Deborah Cassini, 61, of Venetia, Pa., has been hit with a seven-count indictment for wire fraud and filing false income tax returns. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Cassini, who served as office manager at Three Rivers Volkswagen, is accused of embezzling funds over several years.

Prosecutors claim that Cassini siphoned money from the company bank account in various ways—ranging from personal credit card payments to her BMW and skimming cash. She’s also alleged to have manipulated the payroll system and created false accounting entries to hide her thefts. The indictment further reveals that she submitted fraudulent tax returns during the period of embezzlement.

The maximum penalty for Cassini’s crimes totals 89 years in prison, a fine of $1,750,000, or both. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee J. Karl is leading the prosecution, with the investigation being conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the IRS-Criminal Investigation.

Cassini will face the serious charges as an indictment is merely an accusation and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case highlights the lengths some individuals are willing to go to for personal gain at the expense of reputable businesses.

As this crime story unfolds, Grimy Times will continue to bring you the gritty details of this white-collar scandal.

For more on Deborah Cassini’s legal troubles and the impact on Three Rivers Volkswagen, stay tuned to Grimy Times.