Credit Union Manager Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $478,000

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charge of embezzlement, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Catherine M. Linton, 58, of Washington, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around January of 1998 to in and around May of 2015, Linton, as former manager of Trailblazer Federal Credit Union, embezzled the sum of approximately $478,000 from the credit union.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for October 25, 2016. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, 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 continued Linton’s release on bond.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Linton.