PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Largo, Florida, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, PA on charges of mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The six-count Indictment named Linda Baun, 72, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, Baun was the Secretary and Treasurer for Jackson Township, which is located in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. From approximately September 2011 until approximately December 2019, Baun embezzled approximately $170,000.00 from the township. Baun embezzled the funds by making unauthorized ATM withdrawals from the township’s general fund and by making online purchases, including several on Amazon.com, using the township’s general fund. Baun attempted to conceal her thefts by making false entries into the township’s QuickBooks accounting software.
For each count, the law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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