Oct 16, 2017 2 min read

PITTSBURGH – A suspended Charleroi attorney and partner in the Mon Valley Independent newspaper pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of mail fraud for allegedly misappropriating funds from a mentally disabled person.

Keith A. Bassi, 61, of Fayette City entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab, acknowledging that he used about $500,000 from the estate of an elderly woman who was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in 2012. Bassi held power of attorney over the woman’s finances at the time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Melucci told Schwab that prosecutors recommend a sentence ranging from 33 to 41 months incarceration, but Bassi’s attorney, Stephen S. Stallings, said he was opposed to two enhancement in the sentencing guidelines brought forth by the government.

Those enhancements included the case involving a vulnerable victim and Bassi’s abuse of position of trust.

Stallings said they would accept a prison term ranging from 27 to 33 months.

The maximum sentence Bassi could face is up to 60 years in prison and a fine of $750,000, and Schwab said he will make the determination of Bassi’s sentence after reviewing factors like the pre-sentence investigation.

Stallings added that Bassi has agreed to pay full restitution, but the total restitution was not calculated. Both sides planned to meet to try and come to agreement on the amount due.

Melucci said the estimated loss was approximately $550,000.