Insurance Firm Operator Charged with Fraud and Tax Evasion | WPN World People News

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced a two-Count criminal Information was filed in U.S. District Court in Scranton charging Joseph S. Hyduk, age 54, Hazleton, Pennsylvania, with wire fraud and income tax evasion.

The Information alleges that Hyduk did business as BNA Financial Services, an insurance company which he operated from his home. Allegedly, during 2010 through 2012, Hyduk fraudulently diverted approximately $1 million dollars from his clients’ accounts to himself for his own personal use. The Government also filed a plea agreement in the case which is subject to the approval of the Court.

If convicted, Hyduk faces a maximum of 25 years’ incarceration, $500,000 in fines and a term of supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Allentown office and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Scranton office. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Olshefski.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office