Two Defendants Convicted at Trial on All Counts in Fraudulent Check Scheme Targeting Pittsburgh-Area Businesses

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A federal jury in Pittsburgh convicted Rodney Blake, 39, of Baltimore, Maryland, and Robert Morrisey Jr., 32, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and multiple counts of possessing forged securities in federal court in Pittsburgh, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

According to evidence introduced during the four-day trial, from March 2019 to March 2020 and again from June 2021 to April 2022, the defendants orchestrated a fraudulent check scheme in which they and their conspirators stole mail to obtain valid business checks, which were then used to create large numbers of forged checks drawing on the businesses’ bank accounts. The fraudulent checks were made payable to individuals—many of whom were homeless or struggling with addiction—who had been recruited by Blake and Morrisey to cash the checks in exchange for a small share of the proceeds. At trial, the government introduced evidence concerning 115 fraudulent checks with a combined value of more than $225,000, drawn on the bank accounts of over 20 Pittsburgh-area businesses and organizations.

“Robert Morrisey Jr. and Rodney Blake used people addicted to drugs and otherwise living on the margins to cash hundreds of thousands of dollars in counterfeit checks drawn on the business accounts of more than 20 victims,” stated U.S. Attorney Olshan. “This prosecution and the jury’s verdict brought the defendants out of the shadows, shining a light on their conduct and holding them accountable for a brazen fraud scheme. Businesses in this district should be able to mail checks without fear that this simple act will lead to financial ruin, and this office and our law enforcement partners remain committed to ensuring that they can.”

Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge of the Pittsburgh Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, said: “As a primary focus of our mission, Postal Inspectors worked aggressively on this case to track down and identify the subjects involved with stealing mail and committing fraud. It’s our job to protect the sanctity of the mail and ensure the public’s trust in using it. I commend the collaborative efforts of all the agencies involved to bring these individuals to justice.”

“The investigation of Rodney Blake and Robert Morrisey Jr. highlights Homeland Security Investigations’ focus on dismantling financial fraud networks. Together with our partner agencies, we have successfully removed two predators who preyed on business owners and struggling citizens alike,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Nathan R Abel. “This investigation and prosecution is a testament to the power of interagency cooperation and the strength of our partnership with the prosecutors of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of
Pennsylvania.”

Conspiracy to commit bank fraud is punishable by a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Possession of a forged security is punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 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 Attorneys Jeffrey R. Bengel and William B. Guappone prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Secret Service, and Richland Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the convictions in this case.