Former St. Marys Man Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More Than $422,000 from the Elk County Humane Society
| U.S. Attorney’s Office April 18, 2013 |
ERIE, PA—A former resident of St. Marys, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud and money laundering, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Richard Danz, 48, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Danz was the financial advisor/accountant for the Elk County Humane Society. From in and around September 2008 to in and around June 2012, Danz embezzled $422,017.81 from the Elk County Humane Society and another individual for his own personal use.
Judge McLaughlin scheduled sentencing for September 10, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of St. Marys, Pennsylvania Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Danz.