Delaware County man convicted at trial of defrauding pandemic relief programs of $8.4 million

Feb. 3, 2025 — United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Francis J. Battista of Aston, Pennsylvania, was convicted at trial on all charges against him — 12 counts of wire fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft, and seven counts of money laundering — for defrauding federal COVID-19 assistance programs of $8.4 million. United States District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond remanded the defendant into custody following the verdict on Friday afternoon.  Read More