in Deal, Man Gets Probation

A man convicted of helping launder millions of dollars for the perpetrators of the biggest ATM fraud ever was sentenced to probation and a $12,000 fine, thanks to his cooperation in the case.

Authorities said testimony from David McGrath, former head of Hook Financial Corp., helped last year to convict Barry Chesla, one of three owners of Tri-State Armored Services, of a scheme that siphoned as much as $50 million in cash the company was supposed to use to replenish bank and credit union ATMs throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

McGrath admitted he laundered money for Chesla and took kickbacks as part of the conspiracy which included numerous meetings with Chesla along the Pennsylvania Turnpike where Chesla would deliver hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash. Chesla, a former bank guard, and the other two owners of Tri-State, William Mottin and Daniel Feuker, were convicted and sentenced to prison in the scheme in which as many as 160 financial institutions, including 60 credit unions, were hit.

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