HARRISBURG, Penn. A member of Penn State FCU and SPE CU pleaded guilty to laundering more than $372,000 through the two credit unions to evade federal reporting requirements.
Authorities said John Suhan, 48, of Lemont, Penn., agreed to structure large deposits in two of his credit union accounts for a relative. Suhan said the relative allegedly told him that he would have serious problems and would get in trouble with governmental authorities if he were to make any deposits with the money that exceeded $10,000.
As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, Suhan agreed to waive indictment by a grand jury, plead guilty to the offense, and agree to criminal forfeiture of $3,180 in currency recovered from his home.
To avoid making a deposit over $10,000, beginning in January 2006 and continuing through September 2011, Suhan allegedly made in excess of 200 separate deposits of the cash hoard totaling $352,740.02 at the main and branch office locations of Penn State FCU and SPE CU, where he maintained accounts. He kept $3,180 in currency inside a safe at his residence, cash that FBI agents seized.
