(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A Pittsburgh man recently pleaded guilty to depositing a fake U.S. Treasury check and stealing government money. According to the Department of Justice, twenty-one-year-old Andre Pitts pleaded guilty to one count each of uttering counterfeit obligations or securities and theft of government property. Prosecutors confirm that on June 12th, 2023, he deposited an altered U.S. Treasury check for $62,211. The check had been issued to another person in February of 2023 for their 2021 income tax return. Pitts allegedly changed the payee information and memo line to show his name, his residence and tax year 2022. The Deaprtment of Justice noted that after depositing the check, he withdrew $500 in cash and had a $25,000 cashier’s check issued to himself. His sentencing is scheduled for August 13th and he could face up to 20 years in jail for the counterfeit charge and up to 10 years in jail for the theft charge, and/or a fine of up to $250,000 for both of these offenses.