A Concord Township, Ohio man has been sentenced to over 3 years in prison for his role in defrauding Taupa Lithuanian Credit Union out of approximately $2.3 million.
John Struna, 52, pleaded guilty to seven counts including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, making false statements, and four counts of money laundering.
Struna was sentenced to 43 months in federal prison and ordered to pay over $2.3 million in restitution. He also forfeited his interest in the Sunny Street Café in Concord Township, a condominium in Florida, and a 2014 Mazda, which were purchased with proceeds from the fraud.
Struna maintained both personal and corporate accounts at Taupa dating back to 1995. He began a conspiracy with Taupa CEO Alex Spirikaitis in 2002 and continued through 2013, during which time Spirikaitis caused Taupa to make approximately 46 fraudulent transfers into Struna’s accounts.
The fraudulent transfers totaled approximately $2.3 million. From 2002 through 2013, Struna repaid only approximately $15,000 of the $2.3 million Spirikaitis transferred into his accounts.
Struna’s case is one of several related to the defrauding of Taupa Lithuanian Credit Union. Credit union CEO Alex Spirikaitis and former teller Michael Ruksenas have previously been found guilty for their roles in conspiracies related to defrauding the credit union.
The National Credit Union Administration and the Ohio Department of Commerce took possession of Taupa last year and placed it into receivership due to its insolvency. Taupa, based in Cleveland, had approximately 1,150 members and assets of about $24 million, according to court records.
Related Federal Cases
- John Struna, Bank Fraud, Ohio 2023 · Florida
- John Richard Blazer, 401k Fund Siphoning, Ohio 2008 · Florida
- John George Medas, Tax Evasion and Embezzlement, Ohio 2024 · Florida
- Ahmed A. Sh. Ahmed, Wire Fraud and False Statements, Ohio, 2023 · Florida
- Russell W. Spitz, Bank and Wire Fraud, Ohio, 2023 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
