Pittsburgh Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud Related to Pandemic Unemployment Benefits

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to one count in Pittsburgh on a charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud related to pandemic unemployment benefits, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Cassandra Rangel age 28, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

According to the plea agreement, Rangel will pay restitution in the amount of $13,205.00 under the Victim-Witness Protection Act.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 2, 2022. The law provides for a maximum total 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 defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin J. Risacher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Rangel.