Grimy Times has learned that Lesley Lucchese, 54, of New York City, has pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in connection with a nationwide bank fraud conspiracy that targeted credit unions all over the country since at least December 2021.
Lucchese, a former resident of Manhattan, admitted to fraudulently withdrawing funds from credit unions while acting as a runner for the nationwide bank fraud conspiracy. She and her co-conspirators exploited a shared branching network used by many credit unions, which allowed customers to withdraw funds from their accounts at other member credit unions by presenting an identification with their photograph, their account number, and the last four digits of their Social Security number.
The conspirators created fake identifications in the names of real credit union customers, but with photographs of other individuals, including Lucchese, who conducted fraudulent transactions at shared branch member credit unions all over the country in exchange for drugs or a small portion of the stolen funds.
Lucchese pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Her co-defendant, Danielle Cappetti, 45, of New York City, pled guilty to the same offense on August 5, 2024. Cappetti, from the Bronx, is scheduled to be sentenced on December 5, 2024, and Lucchese is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, 2024.
Both defendants face up to 30 years in prison, a term of supervised release of up to 5 years, and a fine of up to $1 million. They will also be ordered to pay restitution to victims of their offenses, and Lucchese agreed to forfeit $9,512.67 in U.S. currency seized by the Escambia County and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Offices in Florida in October 2022.
The pleas of Lucchese and Cappetti resolve the charges against them in a federal indictment returned last December, which allegedly involves over $1 million in total losses. Five defendants have now pled guilty in connection with the indictment.
Defendant Information:
Name: Lesley Lucchese
Age: 54
City and State: New York City, New York
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
Arrest Date: N/A
Sentencing Date: December 17, 2024
Sentence: Up to 30 years in prison, fine of up to $1 million, and restitution to victims
Amount of Loss: Over $1 million
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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