Federal prosecutors say 60-year-old Della Palestino has been sentenced to prison for aggravated identity theft. (Milton Police Department)
HUNTINGTON, W.V.a. (WCHS) —A South Carolina woman received a prison sentence Monday after fraudulently collecting thousands of dollars from multiple West Virginia bank accounts, federal prosecutors said.
Della Palestino, 60, of Lexington was sentenced to two years in prison to be followed by a year of supervised release time for aggravated identity theft, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
The release said Palestino used the personal information of others along with forged signatures to withdraw more than $37,000 from four <a href="https://bitcomme.com/number-of-uk-businesses-in-financial-distress-at-two-decade-high/” title=”Number of UK businesses in financial distress ‘at two-decade high’”>financial institutions in southern West Virginia.
Prosecutors said in September 2024, Palestino withdrew $21,290 in Spencer, $9,400 in Gilbert and $4,200 in Charleston. In August 2026, Palestino withdrew $2,125 in Huntington.
According to prosecutors, Palestino admitted to using a counterfeit passport card during one of the transactions.
Prosecutors said Palestino has been ordered to pay $47,010 in restitution.
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