The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Ohio collected more than $14.3 million in criminal and civil orders during fiscal year 2021.

“Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, the Financial Litigation Program in the Northern District was able to pursue and recover considerable funds from numerous civil and criminal judgments,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler said. “When this office represents the United States of America and secures a collection judgment, we will seek to recover every dollar possible.”

Also, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, Cleveland, working with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and Department of Justice agencies across the country, collected an additional $27.2 million in criminal and civil cases pursued jointly.

That accounts for a combined total of $41.54 million collected during 2021.

Notable collections and forfeitures include:

• Chad M. Stellato, 47, of Langhorne, Pa., pleaded guilty in December 2020 to defrauding Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Alliance, Boardman and other locations via a fraudulent purchase and return scheme. Stellato was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $594,799. Final payment was collected within six months of sentencing;

• John D. Chime II, 47; Jerry L. Stackhouse, 65; and Rogelio Alonso Jr., 33, all living in communities in north central Ohio, were convicted of orchestrating a real-estate investment scheme in 2012 and were ordered to pay...

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