Farmville woman pleads guilty in scheme to set up fake company, bank account to cash a stolen check

RICHMOND, Va. - A Farmville woman pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud relating to her role in a conspiracy to set up a fake company and associated bank account to cash a stolen check for nearly half a million dollars.

According to court documents, on Sept. 21, 2021, a North Carolina business issued a check for $468,477.13 to a subcontractor, Summit Solutionz, Inc., made payable to "Solutionz," and placed the check in the mail. At some point between Sept. 21, 2021, and Sept. 27, 2021, members of the conspiracy stole the check.

On Sept. 27, 2021, a member of the conspiracy incorporated "The Solutionz GA, Inc." in Georgia. Pia Lawson, 51, was named the "CEO" and "CFO" of Solutionz GA. On Sept. 28, 2021, Lawson opened a business checking account for Solutionz GA and certified that she was the Chief Executive Officer and a beneficial owner of Solutionz GA. On Sept. 30, 2021, Lawson deposited the $468,477.13 check into the Solutionz GA account.

Through a series of financial transactions and transfers, Lawson depleted the fraudulently obtained funds between October and November of 2021, including, for example, the transfer of $65,000 to her personal checking account.

Lawson is scheduled to be sentenced on March 18, 2025, and faces up to 30 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Day is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-106.