PITTSBURGH, Pa. — A former water authority manager in Western Pennsylvania was sentenced to more than two years in prison for defrauding the company out of more than $1 million, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced.
Michael Dominick, 44, of Aliquippa, was sentenced Feb. 20 in federal court to 27 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $1,073,185 after pleading guilty to mail fraud Oct. 8, 2024.
While manager at the Ambridge Water Authority (AWA), Dominick defrauded them of money and property between January 2020 and August 2022, according to information presented to the federal court.
As Manager, Dominick was in charge of all daily business and financial activity and had access to bank accounts as well as cash and check payments made to AWA for services rendered. Rivetti said that Dominick diverted the money into his accounts by writing checks to himself and depositing cash into said accounts. He would also use the AWA debit card for personal purchases and provide fake financial reports to hide the stolen money.
Dominick was ordered to pay back AWA and one of its insurers the full amount stolen, Rivetti’s release states.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon cited Dominick’s “significant abuse of public trust” during his sentencing.
