Fourteen charged in alleged $1 million check-fraud scheme

**Authorities say stolen and forged checks targeted school districts, businesses and individuals**

HARRISBURG -- Fourteen people have been charged in an alleged check-fraud operation involving more than $1 million in attempted thefts from victims in Pennsylvania and other states, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Friday.

Investigators allege the group successfully obtained about $170,000 through the scheme, which targeted individuals, businesses and school districts.

Savannah Sperduto, 27, of Philadelphia, is accused of leading the organization and coordinating much of its activity. She was recently arraigned, and her bail was set at $50,000 cash.

According to the Attorney General's Office, members of the group obtained checks by recruiting people to steal them, purchasing blank checks from others and attempting to interfere with mail delivery. The checks were then allegedly forged or altered and deposited or cashed through accounts at at least 10 banks and other financial institutions.

Authorities allege the proceeds were divided among the defendants.

Two Somerset County school systems -- Berlin Brothersvalley School District and Turkeyfoot Valley Area School District -- were among the victims whose checks were allegedly stolen and forged. Numerous businesses were also affected.

The Attorney General's Office emphasized that the school districts and other victims whose checks were altered or used are not believed to have participated in the alleged conspiracy.

Sperduto and the other defendants face charges that include corrupt organizations, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, forgery, theft, identity theft and related offenses.

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.

"This alleged scheme targeted businesses, school districts and other unsuspecting victims across the Commonwealth for high-dollar thefts," Sunday said in a statement.

The Attorney General's Organized Crime Section investigated the case with Pennsylvania State Police.

The cases will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Brittney Kern and Deputy Attorney General Jenna Strausbaugh.

The charges are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.