Badger Woman Previously Convicted of Bank Fraud Sentenced for Throwing Away Mail Sent to Her Employer

A woman who threw away a federal garnishment against her wages sent to her employer was sentenced December 4, 2018, to 90 days’ imprisonment. 

Terri Cosgrove, age 55, from Badger, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 20, 2018, guilty plea to one count of obstruction of correspondence. 

On July 13, 2004, as part of the sentence she received in federal court for committing bank fraud, Cosgrove was ordered to pay $188,708.01 in restitution.  After repeated attempts to collect restitution from Cosgrove, the United States attempted to garnish Cosgrove’s wages by contacting her employer.  After the employer did not respond to the garnishment letter, law enforcement questioned Cosgrove.  Cosgrove told law enforcement that she destroyed the garnishment paperwork sent to her employer because she did not want her wages garnished. 

Cosgrove was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett.  Cosgrove was sentenced to 90 days’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Cosgrove continues to owe restitution for her bank fraud.   Cosgrove is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cole and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov.  The case file number is CR 18-3014 MWB.   

The United States Attorney’s Office works to ensure victims are made whole as quickly as possible.  If you know someone who owes federal restitution and may have assets available to satisfy their restitution obligation, you are urged to call 319-731-4080. 

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