Patty Lynn Mavrakis, Wire Fraud, Pennsylvania 2023

Wire Fraud Scheme Uncovered in Belle Vernon

A shocking case of wire fraud has come to light in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, with Patty Lynn Mavrakis, a 65-year-old resident, pleading guilty to the charges in federal court.

Patty Lynn Mavrakis, 65, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

According to the court documents, Mavrakis was the Branch Manager for Valley 1st Community Federal Credit Union in Belle Vernon, PA, when she committed the crime. On September 5, 2016, Mavrakis entered the Credit Union, accessed the safe, and left the Credit Union with multiple boxes, at least one of which contained cash from the safe.

The next day, September 6, 2016, Mavrakis staged a fire in the safe, falsely claiming that an alarm wire 'caught on fire' and consumed $340,200 in cash. She then submitted an insurance claim to the Credit Union's insurance company, again falsely claiming that an alarm wire caused the fire. The insurance company processed and paid the claim.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducting the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mavrakis.

Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for October 11, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Mavrakis may remain released on bond.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/belle-vernon-resident-pleads-guilty-wire-fraud