DOE Subcontractor Working at Bettis Lab in West Mifflin Admits Stealing $250K in Company Funds

PITTSBURGH - A resident of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government funds, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Robert Lazur, 30, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count beforeSenior or Chief United States District Judge William S. Stickman.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Lazur was employed as a Logistics Coordinator for a subcontractor who was performing work at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in West Mifflin, PA.  The contract was funded by the United States Department of Energy.  During his employment, Lazur used company credit cards and open purchase orders to make several hundred personal purchases.  He then sold the majority of the items on eBay to convert the items to cash.  Other items, however, he kept for his own personal use or gifted to his friends.  The total loss was approximately $250,000.

Judgelast name of judge scheduled sentencing for March 18, 2020 at 10:00 AM. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 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(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court permitted Lazur to remain out of prison on a $25,000 bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Department of Energy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lazur.