North Royalton Man Charged with Bankruptcy Fraud

Scott D. Lachanski, age 40, of North Royalton, Ohio, was charged with one count of concealment of property in bankruptcy, one count of false oath in bankruptcy, one count of fraudulent transfer of property in bankruptcy, and one count of bankruptcy fraud arising from the filing of his personal bankruptcy petition, Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today.

As set forth in the indictment, Lachanski entered into a contract under which he expected to receive payment for permitting an oil company to use a right of way on land he owned. This contract was formed, and payment received, after Lanchanski filed his petition in bankruptcy.

The indictment further alleges that Lachanski directed the oil company to make the check in payment for the right of way to a relative rather than himself. Lanchaski concealed this asset and this income from the Bankruptcy Court.

If the defendant is convicted, the sentence may be determined by the Court after consideration of the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant's prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the unique characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Patton and Special Assistant United States Attorney Dean P. Wyman following investigation by the FBI in Cleveland, Ohio.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.