The White Collar Crimes Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Ohio has concluded 2024 with several significant cases. This unit is responsible for prosecuting individuals involved in fraud or corruption across 40 northern counties in Ohio.
White collar crimes, typically non-violent, include offenses such as tax evasion, embezzlement, money laundering, insider trading, and various forms of fraud. They also cover public corruption and misuse of government benefits intended for unemployment, health care, or small businesses. These crimes often target victims through digital means and are becoming more technologically advanced. Victims can be individuals, businesses, organizations, or government entities.
“White collar offenders frequently hatch elaborate plans to obtain money by deceitful means,” stated U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Our office has prioritized investigating and prosecuting those who attempt to deceive others—whether individuals, businesses, or government entities and the public at large—by committing crimes to line their own pockets at the expense of victims.”
Several notable cases were highlighted this year:
In U.S. v. Basheer Jones, a former Cleveland city councilman pleaded guilty to bribery and wire fraud after obtaining over $130,000 from local nonprofits through fraudulent means. His sentencing is set for April 1, 2025.
In U.S. v. Gregory Gerber, Gerber admitted to illegally prescribing opioids while ignoring addiction signs in patients. He received a 42-month prison sentence along with one year of home confinement and was ordered to pay $850,000 in restitution.
U.S. v. Yue Cao involves a bank IT security professional accused of stealing approximately $2 million from elderly customers’ accounts by setting up unauthorized online access.
Terrence Pounds was sentenced to 94 months in prison in U.S. v. Terrence Pounds after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to fraudulent loan applications under SBA programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lastly, U.S. v. Clarissa Cheney et al., involved six defendants who pleaded guilty and were sentenced collectively to 355 months for a COVID-19 fraud conspiracy involving nearly $3 million in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits obtained using stolen identities.
For reporting suspected white collar crimes: https://tips.fbi.gov/home
