PITTSBURGH, PA — Charles W. Lantzman, a 50-year-old resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of defrauding customers through his snow and ice removal business. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
Lantzman is named as the sole defendant in the nine-count indictment. He’s accused of engaging in a fraudulent scheme from December 2018 to March 2019. The allegation suggests that Lantzman padded customer bills with charges for services that he did not perform.
The indictment specifically includes six counts of wire fraud against Lantzman. Additionally, he faces three counts of money laundering, alleged to have occurred within the same timeframe.
If found guilty, each count of wire fraud could carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense. Each count of money laundering is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a potential fine. The actual sentences would be based on the seriousness of the offenses and any prior criminal history of the defendant, according to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The case against Lantzman is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and United States Postal Inspection Service.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an accusation. Lantzman is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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