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Date: 04-06-2022
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:21-cr-20499-TLL-PTM
Judge: Thomas L. Ludington
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Bay County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney: Sanford Schulman
Description: Bay City, Michigan criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with theft of government funds and identity theft.
Jeffrey Piecka, 46, of Midland devised a scheme to steal $169,967.63 in government benefits from the bank account of a deceased individual. Piecka, a former branch manager with JPMorgan Chase Bank, identified the individual’s account in the course of his employment, noting that it had little activity. Suspecting that the account owner had passed away, Piecka manipulated the bank account to create online account access for himself, and he proceeded to withdraw significant sums of money from the account by various means, including by making online payments to credit card companies, a utility company, his apartment complex, and his car lender.
“The defendant was in a position to safeguard bank customers’ accounts, and he abused that trust. It is also important to remember that stealing from the government is stealing from the taxpayers that fund that government. The sentence today reflects the seriousness of this offense,” stated U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
“Mr. Piecka was in a position of trust; he abused it for his personal gain and stole over $169,000 in Social Security benefits. This sentence holds him accountable for his criminal actions,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “My office will continue to work with SSA to identify improper payments to deceased persons. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this individual and protecting the integrity of SSA programs.”
Piecka was also ordered to repay $169,967.63 in restitution to the Social Security Administration.
This case was investigated by special agents of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne M. Lambert, and Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Particka.
Outcome: 03/31/2022 Minute Entry for in-person proceedings before District Judge Thomas L. Ludington: Sentencing held as to Jeffrey Piecka. Disposition: Rule 11 Plea Agreement accepted by the Court. (Court Reporter: Carol Harrison) (Defendant Attorney: Sanford Schulman) (AUSA: Ryan Particka) (KWin) (Entered: 03/31/2022)
03/31/2022 34 JUDGMENT as to Jeffrey Piecka. Signed by District Judge Thomas L. Ludington. (LHos) (Entered: 03/31/2022)
Defendant was sentenced to 34 months in prison.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
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