HARRISBURG, PA — Fourteen people have been charged in an alleged stolen-check fraud operation that targeted school districts, businesses and individuals and involved more than $1 million in attempted thefts, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
The Attorney General’s Office alleges the group obtained checks through several methods, including soliciting people to steal them, purchasing blank checks from others and attempting to interfere with postal delivery.
Investigators identified Savannah Sperduto, 27, of Philadelphia, as the alleged leader of the organization. Authorities allege Sperduto coordinated much of the activity and worked with co-conspirators to forge or alter checks before attempting to deposit or cash them at financial institutions.
The alleged scheme generated an estimated $170,000 in proceeds, while attempted thefts surpassed $1 million, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Investigators allege fraudulent checks were deposited into accounts at at least 10 banks and other financial institutions, with proceeds from stolen and forged checks divided among defendants.
Among the alleged victims were Berlin Brothersvalley School District and Turkeyfoot Valley Area School District in Somerset County, where authorities said checks were stolen and forged. Investigators also identified numerous affected Pennsylvania businesses and victims elsewhere in Pennsylvania and other states.
The Attorney General’s Office said investigators do not believe the school districts or other victims whose checks were altered and used were involved in the alleged conspiracy.
Sperduto was recently arraigned, and bail was set at $50,000 cash, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Also charged are Marquese Collins, Marquill Mayden, Nascia Wise, Nathaniel Thornton, Aaliem Richardson, Genesis Collins, Rebecca Bazelais, Virguel Jean-Louis, Quantarius Roundtree, John Ortiz, Isaiah Patterson, Sarah Pierna and Shalai Tyler.
The defendants face charges including corrupt organizations, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, forgery, theft, identity theft and related offenses, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
The Attorney General’s Office and Pennsylvania State Police collaborated on the investigation. Senior Deputy Attorney General Brittney Kern and Deputy Attorney General Jenna Strausbaugh of the Organized Crime Section will prosecute the cases.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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