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Press Release

Butler County Woman Facing Additional Fraud Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Valencia, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of interference with commerce by extortion and mail fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The seven-count superseding indictment named Pamela A. Vivirito, 46, of Valencia, PA as the sole defendant.

According to the second superseding indictment Vivirito extorted property from persons known to the grand jury. The indictment further alleges that Vivirito operated a not-for-profit charity called Equine Angels Rescue, Inc. (EAR) which solicited contributions to rescue and rehabilitate horses. Purportedly, Vivirito fraudulently solicited donations and used them for personal expenses.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 140 years in prison, a fine of $1.75 million or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Updated June 6, 2016