Two indicted for bank fraud

 

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – Two have been indicted for bank fraud in connection with the theft of $650,000 from Morgantown-based Wedgewood Physicians.

U.S. Attorney Bill Ihlenfeld said Fransisco Ortiz, 48, of Vacaville, California, faces 31 counts of bank fraud and James Mersing, 38, of Morgantown, a former doctor employed by Wedgewood Physicians, has been charged with 11 counts.

“White-collar crime costs the United States hundreds of billions of dollars each year,” said United States Attorney Bill Ihlenfeld. “The Department of Justice will continue to pursue white-collar wrongdoers and hold them accountable for their misconduct.”

The indictment said Ortiz used his position as Chief Operating Officer of to divert the funds over a three-year period. Ortiz allegedly used the money for travel, home improvements, and purchases from Amazon. Ortiz is also accused of processing unauthorized bonus payments to Mersing, who shared the money with Ortiz.

Each bank fraud count is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.