Pittsburgh man sentenced in Central Greene check scheme
A Pittsburgh man was sentenced to serve 9 to 18 months in jail Wednesday for his role in a scheme to steal checks to vendors from the Central Greene School District and alter them for deposit at local banks.
Brandon Vuocolo, 33, pleaded guilty Wednesday to theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
Vuocolo, in conjunction with accused co-conspirator Dominic George, are accused of stealing a $6,498 check the district had sent last August to pay a vendor. Court documents state they copied the check and cashed variants at three local Community Bank branches.
After not receiving payment, the district’s vendor contacted the district’s business manager, who discovered the theft.
The complaint said Vuocolo had cashed $9,751.12, and George, $6,791.16.
George appeared for a hearing in Greene County Court of Common Pleas Tuesday. He was released on non-monetary bail. Incarcerated in Allegheny County for an alleged parole violation, George is being released to an alternative housing program in Pittsburgh. If he is found to violate the terms of his release, his bond will be revoked.
George is scheduled for a pretrial hearing Sept. 2, with jury selection the next day.
Vuocolo was also ordered to pay $6,791.16 in restitution to Community Bank. That responsibility would be split with George if he is found guilty at trial.
Vuocolo, who has been incarcerated since Feb. 28, will receive credit for time served. He will be eligible for parole in November.