Ambridge Woman Forged Bankruptcy Judge's Signature

United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced that Catherine D. Jeter, a resident of Ambridge, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of Forging the Signature of a Judicial Officer.

Jeter, age 35, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Thomas M. Hardiman.

In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch advised the court that on June 21, 2006, Jeter prepared a falsified court order granting a discharge in her pending bankruptcy case and then forged the signature of Judith K. Fitzgerald, a Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, for the purpose of authenticating the falsified court order.  Jeter submitted the forged order to American Educational Services in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, so that she could obtain school loans in excess of $8,000.00.

Judge Hardiman scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2007.  The law provides for a total sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Jeter on bond.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Catherine D. Jeter.

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